Seminario Plant specialized metabolites: from markers to basic & applied plant & animal health innovations

Chopra laboratory at the Penn State University is interested in exploring the beneficial effects of plant flavonoids. The role of flavonoids in defending plants against herbivores and piercing insects will be discussed. We are identifying alleles of flavonoid biosynthesis genes and their transcription factors to fine-tune spatiotemporal biosynthesis and regulation in desirable tissues. The role of one such master regulator required for genetic and epigenetic modifications in plant and kernel development through the perception and mitigation of excess ROS will be presented.