Feb 09, 2024

Dr. Xiao-Ning Zhang, professor of biology and director of the biochemistry program, was invited to give a talk in the proteomics workshop at the 31st Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 31) held Jan. 12-17 in San Diego, California. 

The talk was on the Zhang lab's current research titled "Serine/Arginine-rich 45-mediated Transcriptional and Splicing Regulation in Plant Immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana." This research project is funded by a $650,000 National Science Foundation award (NSF-PBI1923069).

Zhang is the leading principal investigator for this project, with Dr. Hua Lu from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as co-principal investigator. 

Climate change increases the challenges that all plant species face on a daily basis. Mild winters and high humidity have led to more pathogens and pests thriving and threatening the crops and vegetables we eat. In her talk, Zhang presented their work to uncover different strategies plants employ to their RNAs in order to increase their immunity against bacterial pathogens.

Several former and current SBU undergraduate students have played significant roles in this research. They are Anna Hu, Audrey Bui, Christopher Chin, Arden Bui, Serena Fan, and Iesh Gujral. Other significant contributors include Anthony Long, a Bronx High School of Science student enrolled in the 2022 SBU Summer Research Program for High School Students, and members in the labs of Dr. Hua Lu (UMBC) and Dr. Bret Cooper (USDA-ARS).