Background to Research Interests |
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My broad scientific interest centers on plant adaptation to the environment. Specialized metabolic processes represent some of the best known examples of plant adaptation to the environment. Plant species have in different ways duplicated and modified primary metabolic pathways to produce a huge variety of specialized metabolites. Glucosinolates are one such class of compounds that have a major role in chemical defenses against insects and pathogens in the crucifer plants that produce them. As described below, humans have exploited these compounds for their taste, and health and agricultural potential. |
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The organoleptic characteristics of compounds derived from glucosinolates contribute to the flavors of cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, kale, broccoli, and radish and make them the principals in condiments such as mustard, horseradish and wasabi. |
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Certain glucosinolates are recognized as precursors of potent anticancer compounds. Research supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health has identified glucoraphanin as the precursor to the potent cancer-preventative compound sulforaphane. In humans, sulforaphane stimulates the formation of natural antioxidants and enzymes that detoxify mutagens. |
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The benefits of glucosinolates in agriculture have been recognized in studies of cover crops to be used as green manures or soil fumigants. The USDA supports research on using Brassica crops containing specific glucosinolates to suppress nematodes. The goal is to identify the specific chemical constituents that can replace methyl bromide, a compound that is very effective for high yields of high-value fruit and vegetable crops but is detrimental to the protective ozone layer of the atmosphere. (Photo from Zasada, USDA) |
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A single glucosinolate molecule has three atoms of sulfur. The accumulation of glucosinolates in plants is very sensitive to sulfur deficiencies in the soil. Therefore, sulfur deficiency is likely to have impact on plant defenses against insects and microbial pathogens. (Photo from MSU-extension, S deficiency) |
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| Glucosinolates have been used by mankind for thousands of years and investigated scientifically for hundreds, yet much remains to be learned about them how they are made and how they function. My lab uses the tools of biochemistry and molecular biology to manipulate the metabolic pathways of glucosinolates to determine their biological roles. | |||||
