Dr. Michael Lawton

Dr. Michael Lawton

Associate Professor
Plant Science

Foran Hall, Room 222A
59 Dudley Road
Cook College, Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520
Phone: 732-932-8165 x223
Fax: 732 932 -6525
Email: lawton@aesop.rutgers.edu

Education
B. Sc. (Biochemistry), Bristol University, U.K., 1978
D. Phil. (Biochemistry), Oxford University, U.K., 1982

Research Interests
Our research is concerned with how plants perceive developmental and environmental signals. It is these signals that inform plant cells of their developmental status and of their immediate biotic and abiotic environment. A major part of our work is concerned with identifying genes involved in the production, perception and cellular transduction of these signals. Currently we are using the technique of activation gene tagging to define and isolate genes involved in (i), the expression of plant defense responses, (ii), embryogenesis, and (iii), the production and perception of growth promoting ‘social’ signals. In each case, mutagenesis is followed by a simple screen, which is carried out at the cellular level.. The advantage facilitates access to mutagenized genes and is particularly useful for traits encoded by gene families.

A second major focus of the laboratory is the use of chimeric receptors to explore the functions of receptor protein kinases. This family of genes is widespread in plants and serves many functions. Some are involved in the perception of plant pathogens while others appear to be receptors for plant growth regulators. Still others have been shown to regulate the boundary zone for differentiation at the apical and terminal meristems. Expression of chimeric receptors kinases in transgenic plants provides a way to re-route individual signaling pathways between pairs of receptor kinases. This approach is useful for exploring the properties of functionally defined receptors as well as providing a way to explore the functions of receptors of unknown function (so-called ‘orphan’ receptors).

Recent Publications
Gianfagna, T and MA Lawton,. 1995. The signalling pathway leading to activation of plant defenses involves reversible protein phosphorylation. Plant Science, 109: 165-170.

Wang, X and Lawton, M. 1998. PR5K: A receptor serine kinase involved in the regulation of the plant defense response. In: protein phosphorylation in plants. Proceedings of the Second International European Symposium. (eds. P. Gadal, M. Kreis, M. Dron, J. Brulfert, C. Bergounioux and J. Vidal). University de Paris Sud, Orsay, France pp 88-89.