The Tsai Lab

Tsai Laboratory Research

Research in the Tsai lab investigates the role and the regulation of rice cytokinin two-component signal in stress tolerance. Cytokinins are a class of plant phytohormones that play important roles in diverse aspects of plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. The canonical two-component transcription circuitry involves histidine kinases (HK) that perceive cytokinin and initiate signaling, as well as histidine-containing phosphotransfer protein (AHP) proteins that transfer phosphoryl groups to response regulators (RR). Recent progress has been made in the identification of proteins involved in cytokinin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling in rice. The importance of cytokinin on stress tolerance is highlighted by the fact that an increased levels of exogenous or endogenous cytokinin in plant induces tolerance against cold, heat, drought and salt.

Model for cytokinin signaling in rice

Tools developed in the lab

• Using CRISRP/Cas9 system to study target loci in response to various abiotic stresses
• Using non-destructive methods to characterize various phenotypic traits