Kendal Hirschi, Ph.D.Professor of Pediatrics Hirschi Lab2010 Project SiteVFIC LabAdditional Appointments:Associate Director of Research Vegetables and Fruit Improvement Center Texas A&M University, Department of Horticulture and Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences Adjunct Associate Professor Rice University Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Member of The Center for Plant Science at Rice University Education:B.S. Biochemistry - University of Arizona M.S. Microbiology - Arizona State University Ph.D. Plant Pathology - University of Arizona Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow- Whitehead Institute Research:Plant Ion HomeostasisWe study model systems biology in plants, yeast and mice. Furthermore, we perform translational research related to agricultural improvement. At the molecular level, our goals are to understand the structure, biological function, and regulation of transporter proteins that control trafficking into and out of the vacuole. Many of our molecular approaches use the standard genetic “tool kit”. Another major goal in our group is to learn how to manipulate the expression and function of these transporters to increase the nutritional content of crop plants, improve plant productivity, and cleanse polluted soils. For this second objective, we collaborate with faculty at the Children’s Nutrition Research here at Baylor and faculty at the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center at Texas A&M. Obtaining help from nutritional scientists, we perform clinical trials addressing how changes in plant architecture alter nutrient bioavailability. Using a combination of approaches, we are attempting to characterize the expression and physiological function of these transporters. Additionally, we will use these ion transporters as bait" in a series of genetic approaches in yeast and plants to identify the molecules that interact with these transporters and, thus, regulate ion homeostasis. Once we have characterized and identified the ensemble of ion transporters and their regulatory molecules, we can begin to manipulate ion storage, signal transduction events, and the environmental constraints of traditional agricultural practices. Presentation on Increased Calcium Bioavailability in Genetically Modified Foods: Analysis Using Mice and Human Feeding Regimes
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