Plant regeneration
The remarkable regenerative capacity displayed by plants is based on the capability of somatic cells to undergo dedifferentiation. They regain the ability to develop into the various cell types required for regeneration. The molecular basis of cellular eprogramming in plants has long been unclear, but we are beginning to understand how differentiated cells revert to a pluripotent state. We have investigated reprogrammed pluripotent cells that have a distinctive epigenome and tanscriptome and provided insights into how the cellular identities are reversibly regulated by epigenetic modifications. We also employ CRISPR screening approaches to identify novel signaling components and understand their detailed biological functions and interactions in the process.
Circadian clock
Circadian clock temporally coordinates endogenous biological processes in anticipation of the environmental day/night cycles. The presence of the circadian clock allows organisms to increase their fitness and maximize their possibilities of reproductive success and survival. Current research in our group focuses on elucidating the gene regulatory networks and the molecular mechanisms underlying the circadian clock oscillation. In particular, the diurnal coordination of chromatin remodeling at core clock components is essential for robust circadian activity. We are working primarily on understanding the epigenetic mechanisms behind the circadian gene control and impact of circadian clock function on plant adaptation to environmental challenges.
Small peptide
Small peptides mediate cell-cell communication to coordinate a variety of plant developmental processes. These peptides are secreted out of cells and act at neighboring cells in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Signaling peptides specifically bind to the extracellular domains of receptors that belong to the receptor-like kinase family, and the peptide–receptor interaction activates a range of biochemical and physiological processes. We are particularly interested in cell-cell communication for pluripotency establishment during plant regeneration.
Temperature sensing and signaling
Plants are highly responsive to differences in ambient temperature. We are interested in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature perception and signal transduction. We are currently carrying out a genetic screening for identifying key components of the temperature pathways. In particular, our initial efforts showed the impact of chromatin modification in mediating temperature responses, which may explain global changes in gene expression upon small changes in ambient temperature.