Schwekendiek Lab
Research Interests
Plant-made Phytopharmaceuticals
In my lab we are interested in developing sustainable and economic in planta production systems for pharmaceutically valuable natural products. Since a major focus of this work actually is on production, we are focussing on plants of broader economic importance for which extraction and processing systems are already in place. We found the hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) being an interesting target because it perfectly meets this condition. Furthermore, although hops (the female flowers of the hop plant) is mainly used as an ingredient for beer, the hop plant - a member of the Cannabinaceae family - has long been known for its medicinal uses. Interestingly, hops contain one of the most potent phytoestrogens known from plants. Furthermore, highly active anti-cancer compounds have also been identified in hops. Both these compounds are produced in very low quantities in hops. Since they are not available from other plants, their limited occurence hinders further exploitation. Therefore, the aims of my research are (a) to dissect the molecular pathways leading to production of these medicinally valuable compounds in hops, (b) to clone the corresponding genes and regulatory elements, and (c) to modify the biosynthetic routes in transgenic hop in order to increase their production in planta. I believe the successful development of transgenic hop with increased content of pharmaceutically active compounds could open up new high value markets for the hop industry.
Betalain Biosynthesis
Water soluble betalain pigments are interesting natural food colorants.
Undergraduate Research
Current Students
- Pitra, Nicholi: Gland EST library, gene cloning
- Hanson, Scott: Plant tissue culture and plant transformation, Temporary Immersion System
- Choi, Adi: Bioinformatics
- Koelling, Jared: Microbial strains and cultures, plasmid preparation
- Drake, Brenda: Betalain Biosynthesis
Past Students
- Cunningham, Robert: Molecular biology and gene cloning (Jan 2007 - May 2007)
Lab Inventory
Courses
840.119 - Introduction to Biotechnology (Fall)
840.130 - Molecular Biology (Spring)
840.153g - Recombinant DNA Techniques (Spring)
--Axel 08:33, 22 March 2006 (EST)
