Department of Your Department

Student of the Month (May 2009)


Name: : Jung-Hyun Huh (jhhuh at vt.edu)

Research project: Biochemical, molecular and functional analysis of volatile terpene formation in Arabidopsis roots in interaction with a root pathogen, Pythium irregulare

Advisor: Dorothea Tholl

Departmental affiliation: Department of Biological Science

Anticipated defense date: 2010

Project description:

Volatile terpenes have been investigated as defense molecules in plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions. When emitted by plants, they can provide not only direct defense activity but also serve as indirect defense compounds that attract predators of the attacking insects. So far, research on ecological and physiological functions of volatile terpenes has focused on aerial parts of plants and to date only a few studies have been conducted to gain insights into the role of volatile terpenes in the defense of plant roots.

To understand the function and biosynthesis of root volatile terpenes (with focus on the homoterpene DMNT (4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene)) in belowground, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant, we hypothesize that volatile terpenes are implicated in plant defense responses against root pathogens. To examine these hypotheses, we propose to 1) analyze volatile terpene emission from Arabidopsis roots in response to the root pathogens, Pythium irregulare under different culture conditions, 2) identify the TPS gene(s) responsible for the first committed step in the synthesis of the root-specific, pathogen induced C11-homoterpene DMNT, 3) investigate the spatial and temporal regulation of pathogen-induced DMNT formation and the role of defense signaling pathways, 4) characterize the role of DMNT in early and/or late infection stages by root pathogens. This work on the synthesis and function of DMNT will aid in our understanding of root chemical defense against soil-borne pathogens and alternative pest-management strategy based on biological control.

Manuscript in preparation:

  • Jung-Hyun Huh, Reza Sohrabi, Martha Vaughan, Christopher Villareal, and Dorothea Tholl, "Formation of the volatile C11-homoterpene DMNT in Arabidopsis roots is elicited by the soil-borne pathogen Pythium irregulare and partially dependent on the root-specific (E)-nerolidol synthase TPS22 "

Talks and Presentations:

  • Plant molecular Biology discussion group, June 25, 2008, Virginia Tech, VA, USA: Jung-Hyun Huh, Reza Sorbi, and Dorothea Tholl, "Hidden Metabolism: Volatile Terpene Formation in Roots "

Poster Presentations:

  1. Gordon Research Conference - Plant Metabolic Engineering, July 12-17, 2009, Waterville Valley, NH, USA: Jung-Hyun Huh, Reza Sohrabi and Dorothea Tholl, "Assembling Gene Tools for Engineering Plant Defense Volatile Formation: Dissecting the Biosynthesis of the C11-Homoterpene DMNT (4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene) in Arabidopsis"
  2. 25th Mid-Atlantic Plant Molecular Biology meeting, Aug 21-22, 2008, Savage Mill, MD, USA: Jung-Hyun Huh and Dorothea Tholl, "Volatile terpene formation in Arabidopsis roots in interaction with the soil-borne pathogen Pythium irregular"
  3. 5th Research day, February 23, 2008, Department of Biological science, Virginia Tech, VA, USA: Jung-Hyun Huh, Dorothea Tholl, "Molecular and functional analysis of volatile terpene formation in Arabidopsis roots in interaction with the soil-borne pathogen Pythium irregulare"
  4. Gordon Research Conference - Floral & Vegetative Volatiles, October 7-12, 2007, Les Diablerets Conference Center, Les Diablerets, Switzerland : Martha Vaughan, Jung-Hyun Huh, Dorothea Tholl, "Formation of Volatile Terpenes in Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana"
  5. 47th Phytochemical Society of North America Meeting, July 21-25, 2007, Donald Danforth Center, St. Louis, MO, USA : Martha Vaughan, Jung-Hyun Huh, Dorothea Tholl, "Formation of Volatile Terpenes in Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana"

Awards:

  1. Best poster presentation, Gordon Research Conference - Plant Metabolic Engineering, Waterville Valley, NH, USA (July 2009)
  2. GSA Graduate Research and Development Project (GRDP) Grant, 2008, Virginia Tech
  3. Poster award winner (honorable mention), 5th Research Day, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, VA, USA (Feb 2008)
  4. Travel Award, 47th Phytochemical Society of North America Conference, Donald Danforth Center, St. Louis, MO,USA (July 2007)