'U' prof. makes plant cell discovery

By Ginnefer Cox

Daily Staff Reporter

The riddles of plant development are closer to being answered as University Professor Steven Clark has made a significant discovery to plant research. Clark has identified two genes, CLAVATA 1 and CLAVATA 3, and their formation of a protein ligand-receptor pair in the plant Arabidopisis, commonly used for plant research.

From this discovery, Clark has taken a big step toward the mystery of why certain plant cells grow into leaves, stems, and other plant parts. Clark said uncovering plant growth could lead to important applications in agriculture.

"My primary motivation for being a scientist is to uncover the secrets of a biological system. Theoretically, the ability to control the number of leaves, branches, flowers and the size of fruits could contribute to increasing yields in crop plants. Increased yields can help feed a growing world population, as well as limit the amount of land required for agricultural production," Clark said.

Research Associate Amy Trotochaud and graduate student Sangho Jeong collaborated with Clark in the plant research. Jeong pointed out this discovery could possibly contribute to areas of human growth and development.

"There are similar types of receptors in animals that regulate important developmental processes. The new data we have produced and will produce would certainly be interesting to researchers working on human growth and development," Jeong said.

University biology faculty has acknowledged the importance of Clark's achievement. Biology Professor Charles Yocum said Clark's discovery would lead to a better understanding of larger organisms.

"Prof. Clark's discovery is an important milestone in understanding the molecular details of development in higher organisms, mammals included. His discovery also serves as an extremely useful reminder that plants are very important experimental organisms for uncovering basic biological principals that apply to all life on earth," Yocum said.

Clark said although this discovery in plant growth is considerable, more research would have to be done on the subject.

"As is always the case, our discoveries have opened up a whole new set of questions. There are probably dozens of genes involved in organ formation, so we have our work cut out for us," Clark said.

Clark, an associate professor of biology, has been at the University since 1994. An Illinois native, he received funding for his research from the National Science Foundation's Developmental Mechanisms Program.