David A Christopher
Professor
Department of Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering
University of Hawaii
United States of America
Biography
Education : University of New Hampshire (B.S. Plant Science) Weizmann Institute of Science (M.S. Plant Genetics) University of Arizona (Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology) Texas A & M University (Post-doctoral research in Biochemistry and Biophysics)
Research Interest
Research Interests : My lab's research emphasizes two general areas: 1) basic research exploring the function of plant cells at the molecular level; and 2) the application of plant biotechnology to solve practical problems faced by local agriculture. In the first area, we are elucidating the intriguing molecular mechanisms that regulate plant productivity, nutrient transport, secretory protein synthesis and protein folding. We use a combination of molecular, cellular, biochemical and genetic approaches applied to the genetically amenable model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. We have identified a potassium channel required for the uptake of potassium by plant cells and for providing tolerance to salinity and heavy metal stress. The channel protein is regulated by calmodulin and is a member of the CNGC (cyclic nucleotide gated channel) family.
Publications
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Chinnasri, B. Sipes, B.S., Borsics T., Christopher, D.A. (2016) Induction of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (PR-1) by acibenzolar-s-methyl application in pineapple and its effect on reniform nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis). Agricultural & Natural Resources, 50:368–373.
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Yuen, C.Y.L, Wong, K., Christopher, D.A. 2016. Phylogenetic characterization and promoter expression analysis of a novel hybrid protein disulfide isomerase/cargo receptor subfamily unique to plants and chromalveolates. Molecular Genetics Genomics, 291: 455–469.
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Yuen, C.Y.L, Wang, P.-F., Kang, B.-H., Matsumoto, K., Christopher, D.A. 2017. A Non-Classical Member of the Protein Disulfide Isomerase Family, PDI7 of Arabidopsis thaliana, Localizes to the cis-Golgi and Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes. Plant & Cell Physiology, 58: 1103–1117. (Cover Feature).
