LSB 422
Lab: LIFE B470
Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs are highly encouraged to contact Dr. Horn by email to inquire about openings in various projects aiming to study biochemical pathways for producing high value bioproducts, abiotic stress, membrane biology, and/or other topics that may be of mutual interest.
Degrees:
1. Identifying and Characterizing Enzymes in Plant Metabolism and Bioproduct Production:
The plant kingdom produces an astonishing number of chemically and functionally diverse metabolites that contribute to a plant's survival, growth and development, defense, and evolutionary selection. Identifying and characterizing all the genes, and their encoded proteins, that produce these metabolites and modulate their levels in vivo is a complex task that requires various techniques ranging from genetics to biochemistry to computational biology to omics and beyond. Our research focuses on identifying and characterizing proteins that produce high-value plant lipids (or oils) which are essential to plant growth and development, human health and nutrition (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids), and industrial feedstocks (e.g., biofuels, lubricants). This work targets biochemical pathways ranging from model plants (e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana) to crops important to the Texas economy (e.g., cotton) to non-domesticated plant systems (e.g., Sterculia foetida). Students and personnel working on these structure-function projects will primarily learn and use genetic engineering, molecular biology, biochemical, and structural biology techniques.
2. Elucidating the Structural and Functional Role of Plant Thiols:
Cysteines (Cys) are chemically reactive amino acids containing sulfur that play diverse roles in plant biology. Recent proteomics investigations in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have revealed the presence of thiol post-translational modifications (PTMs) in several Cys residues. These PTMs are presumed to impact protein structure and function, yet mechanistic data regarding the specific Cys susceptible to modification and their biochemical relevance remain limited. To help address these limitations, we are characterizing the structure and functional roles of Cys in enzymes susceptible to thiol PTMs. Given the thiol proteome also changes in response to abiotic stress conditions (e.g., high temperature, drought, etc.) understanding these processes at the basic science level will enable translational applications that contribute to enhanced plant resilience. Students and personnel working on these projects primarily learn and use biochemistry, plant physiology, and genetics techniques.
3. Inclusive Research Training in STEM:
The Horn Lab prioritizes promoting and advancing an environment/culture of equal opportunity, equal access and inclusion in research training. Our lab strives to provide research opportunities at different experience levels from undergraduates to graduate students to professional scientists. We encourage all those interested in research, including underrepresented groups in STEM, to reach out to discuss research opportunities in our lab. We offer a range of research training experiences for students that just want to give research a try to more rigorous, targeted training plans that prepare students for competitive research- and/or medical-based careers.
A Laser Microdissection System to Enhance Agricultural and Food Research in the North Texas and Southern Oklahoma Region. United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Equipment Grants Program (USDA NIFA EGP). Brian G. Ayre (PI), Roisin C. McGarry, Vanessa M. Macias, Patrick J. Horn, and Jyoti Shah. $341,019 United Stated Department of Agriculture- National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Elucidating Cyclic Fatty Acid Biosynthesis and Compartmentalization to Improve Cottonseed Value (PI Patrick Horn, East Carolina; Kent Chapman, Co-PI). 3/15/2022- 3/14/2025 (#2022-67013-36897).
Biochemistry I (BIOC 4540/5540) Cell Biology (BIOL 3510)