Our lab combines computational and experimental approaches to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive strategies in plants. We focus on metabolic traits at multiple scales including individual genes, pathways, and networks. We also uncover novel functions, mechanisms, and pathways of 'unknown' genes (those that are not similar to any known genes), which is taking us to areas of research we never thought of studying before. |
Why should we study plants?Introduction by Ruby Tebbutt, 2022 Summer Intern
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Front Matter
We aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive traits in the face of heat, drought, nutrient limitation, latitude and pests. We study a variety of plants including models, orphan crops, medicinal and desert plants. More recently our work has involved studying a model nematode C. elegans, fungal pathogens, corals, and piezophilic bacterium. Our group employs computational modeling and targeted laboratory testing to study mechanisms of adaptation, functions of novel genes, organization and function of metabolic networks, and chemical and neuronal code of plant-animal interactions. We are also interested in developing translational research programs involving carbon sequestration by plants and biomass maximization under drought in bioenergy crops. See our Publications and Talks. |
News
March 7, 2024
New paper in Plant Direct!
Non-destructive, whole-plant phenotyping reveals dynamic changes in water use efficiency, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere acidification of sorghum accessions under osmotic stress (Ginzburg et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.571
February 15, 2024
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Arabidopsis thaliana RHAMNOSE 1 condensate formation drives UDP-rhamnose synthesis (Field et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.15.580454
February 6, 2024
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Variability in drought gene expression datasets highlight the need for community standardization (VanBuren et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.04.578814
January 31, 2024
The search is on!
The Plant Resilience Institute at MSU is looking for a communications coordinator to join its team. The communications coordinator is responsible for monitoring and maintaining both a strong web and social media presence, representing the institute in social media contexts, and composing and editing press releases, newsletters, social media posts, website and/or related content.
Please learn more in the link below and on our Join Us page!
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/517442/communications-coordinator
December 15, 2023
The search is on!
The Rhee Lab is searching for a researcher to help understand dehydration and desiccation tolerance in Arabidopsis. The selected researcher will join the Water and Life Interface Institute (WALII) under its theme 2 mission of understanding rehydration and recovery in plants.
Please learn more in the link below and on our Join Us page!
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/517082/research-associatefixed-term
October 19, 2023
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Conflicts in natural selection constrain adaptation to climate change in Arabidopsis thaliana (Ruffley et al., 2023) https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.16.562583
October 2, 2023
Two new undergraduate interns join the team!
Arriana Fobbs is a Junior Plant Biology student. With a wide range of interests from music to metalworking, Arriana brings a unique perspective to the questions being asked in the lab.
Kap Kapoor is a Junior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student on a pre-med track in the Lyman Briggs College. Kap is hoping to apply the skills learned in the Rhee Lab to their coursework and career.
New paper in Plant Direct!
Non-destructive, whole-plant phenotyping reveals dynamic changes in water use efficiency, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere acidification of sorghum accessions under osmotic stress (Ginzburg et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.571
February 15, 2024
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Arabidopsis thaliana RHAMNOSE 1 condensate formation drives UDP-rhamnose synthesis (Field et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.15.580454
February 6, 2024
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Variability in drought gene expression datasets highlight the need for community standardization (VanBuren et al., 2024)
https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.04.578814
January 31, 2024
The search is on!
The Plant Resilience Institute at MSU is looking for a communications coordinator to join its team. The communications coordinator is responsible for monitoring and maintaining both a strong web and social media presence, representing the institute in social media contexts, and composing and editing press releases, newsletters, social media posts, website and/or related content.
Please learn more in the link below and on our Join Us page!
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/517442/communications-coordinator
December 15, 2023
The search is on!
The Rhee Lab is searching for a researcher to help understand dehydration and desiccation tolerance in Arabidopsis. The selected researcher will join the Water and Life Interface Institute (WALII) under its theme 2 mission of understanding rehydration and recovery in plants.
Please learn more in the link below and on our Join Us page!
https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/517082/research-associatefixed-term
October 19, 2023
New manuscript in bioRxiv!
Conflicts in natural selection constrain adaptation to climate change in Arabidopsis thaliana (Ruffley et al., 2023) https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.16.562583
October 2, 2023
Two new undergraduate interns join the team!
Arriana Fobbs is a Junior Plant Biology student. With a wide range of interests from music to metalworking, Arriana brings a unique perspective to the questions being asked in the lab.
Kap Kapoor is a Junior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student on a pre-med track in the Lyman Briggs College. Kap is hoping to apply the skills learned in the Rhee Lab to their coursework and career.