Jose Alonso
William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor
University Faculty Scholar
Thomas Hall 2501A
Bio
Our main interest is to understand the molecular circuits plants use to integrate environmental and developmental signals to produce specific responses. Towards this general goal we have been focusing on the identification of the molecular “signal integrators” or “logic gates” involved in the interaction between two plant hormones, ethylene and auxin, in the regulation of root growth. Using a multidisciplinary approach (genetics, molecular biology, genomics, metabolomics, cell biology, etc.), we have uncovered a complex multistep integration process with both spatial and temporal components. Our research has shown that ethylene activates the transcription of auxin biosynthetic genes in the root meristem (root tip) and then auxin is transported upwards to where it sensitizes the cells in the division zone enabling them to properly respond to ethylene. Our more recent findings suggest that translation regulation represents a key aspect of this “sensitizing” mechanism triggered by auxin. In addition, these studies have allowed us to decipher the first complete auxin biosynthetic pathway in plants and we continue to investigate the role of auxin biosynthesis in development. Finally, we combine our interests in basic biology with the development and implementation of new genetic technologies to accelerate discoveries in plant biology. Currently, we are working on three main areas, gene modification in a chromosomal context using recombineering approaches, high-resolution whole-genome analysis of translation using next-generation-sequencing (NGS) -enabled ribosome footprinting, and implementation of metabolic biosensors, specifically a FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) -based tryptophan biosensor.
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Education
Ph.D. Biology and Biochemistry Universitat de Valencia, Spain 1994
B.S. Biochemistry Universitat de Valencia, Spain 1988
Area(s) of Expertise
Hormone signal integration, Translation regulation, Ribosome footprinting, Recombineering
Publications
- Arabidopsis as a model for translational research , PLANT CELL (2024)
- Deciphering the molecular basis of tissue-specific gene expression in plants: Can synthetic biology help? , CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY (2022)
- Tandem C2 domains mediate dynamic organelle targeting of a DOCK family guanine nucleotide exchange factor , JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE (2022)
- To Fight or to Grow: The Balancing Role of Ethylene in Plant Abiotic Stress Responses , PLANTS-BASEL (2022)
- A G protein-coupled receptor-like module regulates cellulose synthase secretion from the endomembrane system in Arabidopsis , DEVELOPMENTAL CELL (2021)
- Auxin Interactions with Other Hormones in Plant Development , Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology (2021)
- Leveraging synthetic biology approaches in plant hormone research , CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY (2021)
- An Improved Recombineering Toolset for Plants , The Plant Cell (2020)
- Development of a relative quantification method for infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging of Arabidopsis seedlings , RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY (2020)
- Gibberellin-mediated RGA-LIKE1 degradation regulates embryo sac development in Arabidopsis , JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY (2020)