Skip to content

Plant Research

USC lab creates vast library of master genetic switches in plants Photo by Dawn Nagel

A major event in the life cycle of higher plants is the decision to flower.  Many plants utilize seasonal changes in day length as a signal to flower, and higher plants utilize their circadian clocks to perceive these changes in day length.

Our lab has been involved in defining a molecular link between the circadian clock and day length-dependent regulation of flowering.  A flowering time gene known as CONSTANS was identified a number of years ago and is regulated by the circadian clock. Our lab has been able to show that clock regulation of CONSTANS expression is the key to seasonal control of flowering in Arabidopsis.

We are currently extending these studies by comparing gene expression profiles under long days and short days in order to identify other components involved in perception of day length.

Rhythmic Bioluminescence in Transgenic cab-luciferase Arabidopsis Seedlings

By combining molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches, our lab is beginning  to define a number of molecular links between the circadian clock and rhythmic regulation of behavior and development. Analysis of circadian rhythms across multiple organisms affords a unique opportunity to define molecular controls over whole organism behaviors. These results will certainly provide targets for clinical and agricultural applications aimed at improving quality of life.

Plant Team Researchers: Marian Nohales, Matias Rugnone, Sabrina Sanchez, Shi (YuShi) Yu, Silvana Porco, Tong Liang, Yi (Jimmy) Li, 

Plants Internal Timepiece

Clock Genes Keep Time to Daily Rhythm

Genes Moving to a Circadian Beat

Scientists Clone Gene that Regulates Circadian Rhythms in Plants

Timing of the Flower Cycle in One Small Leafy Weed

How Plants Can Anticipate the Seasons

Skip to toolbar