![[Department of Plant Biology and Pathology]](http://njaes.rutgers.edu/_common/images/subheads/plantbiopath.gif "[Department of Plant Biology and Pathology]"){kind=small}
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Rutgers University
Department of Plant Biology & Pathology
222 Foran Hall/ Cook Campus
59 Dudley Rd.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
lawton@sebs.rutgers.edu
Campus Location
Office: Room 222A Foran Hall, 848-932-6166
Lab: Room 222 Foran Hall, 848-932-6353
Research Interests
Programmed Cell Death and Disease Resistance
The laboratory of Dr. Michael Lawton focuses on understanding programmed cell death and disease resistance in lower eukaryotes. Dr. Lawton is also concerned with the impact of biotechnology on society and speaks frequently on ethical issues, as well as teaching "Issues and Concepts in Biotechnology."
Pathogenicity Mechanisms in Lower Eukaryotes
We are using two model systems to understand the molecular and genetic basis of pathogen interactions with their hosts. The first system is the recombinogenic moss, Physcomitrella patens, which we have used to investigate genes involved in programmed cell death, induced immunity and plant defense responses. The second system is the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which we have used to study basic and induced immunity and the mechanisms of entry of pathogens into cells. These systems have allowed us to characterize host genes that condition disease susceptibility and resistance as well as pathogen genes that determine virulence and contribute to host range. Our goal is to use these model systems to functionally define genes and mechanisms that can be exploited to control disease in crop plants.
Genes Involved in Mycotoxin Action
Mycotoxins are a major contaminant of grain crops. We have used Physcomitrella to examine the mode of action of several important toxins produced by Fusarium. Several genes are required for the response to mycotoxins and we are now in a position to determine if these genes will also confer resistance to mycotoxins in crop plants.
The Plant Cell Wall and Biofuels
Genes that affect cell wall structure also alter susceptibility to microbial infection. We are using the superb functional genomics available in Physcomitrella to understand the relationship between genes and cell wall structure and function. A better understanding of the plant cell wall will allow us to tailor the cell wall for more efficient use for biofuels derived from cellulose and xyloglucans.
Publications
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Rutgers Affiliations
Other Affiliations
Dr. Michael Lawton joined the department in YYYY and was promoted to Associate Professor in YYYY.