Brian D. Shaw

Biography

Dr. Brian D. Shaw is Professor, Fungal BiologyDepartment of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A and M University,United States Of America got Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Cornell University and Post-Doctoral,at University of Georgia.

Research Interest

Fungal Developmental Biology Roles of Cytoskeleton and Endocytosis in Hyphal Growth Fungi cause an estimated 70% of disease to our crops, and post-harvest spoilage of our food supply leading to billions of dollars in losses. Fungi are an increasing concern as human pathogens. Fungi are contaminants effecting indoor air quality leading to allergy and exposure to toxins. All these processes and more, require polarized hyphal growth for their impact on humans. Therefore, understanding how hyphae are made is a fundamental concern. The fungal hypha is an emergent cell type that is the characteristic growth form of most members of Kingdom Fungi. These elongated, thread-like cells, grow only at their highly polarized apex. Recently, research has implicated both polarized secretion through an emergent organelle, the Spitzenkorper, and endocytosis concentrated in a collar at the cell apex in regulating hyphal growth. The Shaw lab utilizes state of the art microscopy to bring the structure and components of these structures to a level of detail not previously available.