Simon D.x. Chuong
Associate Professor
Biology
University of Waterloo
Canada
Biography
"Dr. Chuong carries out research in plant cell and molecular biology. His research program aims to investigate factors that are involved in the development of single-cell C4 photosynthesis in several species of land plants. By understanding how these fascinating single-cell systems work, he hopes to provide researchers with the tools to improve yields, carbon fixation and stress tolerance of everyday crops. 2003 PhD Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary. NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplements (2008-2011). Research in the Chuong’s lab focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the structure and function of single-cell C4 photosynthesis in two genera of terrestrial plants. In particular, his research group investigates factors that are involved in the movement of organelles and localization of macromolecules leading to the establishment of anatomical and biochemical polarity within two cytoplasmic regions of the cell. Dr. Chuong’s research uses a multifaceted approach, combining biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and cell biology techniques, from standard immunofluorescence and high resolution immunoelectron microscopy to the latest imaging techniques involving fluorescently-tagged proteins in living cells to address these research interests. The results will provide crucial information on the development and evolution of single-cell C4 photosynthesis in terrestrial plants. Understanding the underlying regulatory mechanisms responsible for the development of the intracellular compartmentalization of organelles and biochemistry in these fascinating single-cell C4 systems is important as it can provide opportunities for introducing their unique characteristics into C3 crop species to increase carbon fixation and yield under unfavourable conditions such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity where CO2 availability becomes limiting."
Research Interest
Plant Cell and Molecular Biology Plant Physiology C4 Photosynthesis Light and Electron Microscopy
Publications
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Chuong SD, Park NI, Freeman MC, Mullen RT, Muench DG. The peroxisomal multifunctional protein interacts with cortical microtubules in plant cells. BMC cell biology. 2005 Nov 28;6(1):40.
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Voznesenskaya EV, Koteyeva NK, Chuong SD, Ivanova AN, Barroca J, Craven LA, Edwards GE. Physiological, anatomical and biochemical characterisation of photosynthetic types in genus Cleome (Cleomaceae). Functional Plant Biology. 2007 May 10;34(4):247-67.
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Chuong SD, Franceschi VR, Edwards GE. The cytoskeleton maintains organelle partitioning required for single-cell C4 photosynthesis in Chenopodiaceae species. The Plant Cell. 2006 Sep 1;18(9):2207-23.
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Chuong SD, Good AG, Taylor GJ, Freeman MC, Moorhead GB, Muench DG. Large-scale identification of tubulin-binding proteins provides insight on subcellular trafficking, metabolic channeling, and signaling in plant cells. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. 2004 Oct 1;3(10):970-83.
