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Jeanne M. Harris

Associate Professor of Plant Biology

Ph.D. 1996, University of California, San Francisco

Email: Jeanne.Harris@uvm.edu

Phone: 802-656-2933

Office: 334A Marsh Life Science Building

Research Area: Hormone Networks, Developmental Genetics, Plant-Microbe Interactions

Courses Taught: Plant Physiology (PBIO 104); Advanced Plant Physiology (PBIO 295); Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (PBIO 295)

Medicago truncatula

Summary of Research Program

Plants of the legume family have the unique ability to form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria, collectively known as Rhizobium, that results in the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on the root of the host plant. An exchange of molecular signals between plant and bacterium trigger the plant to form nodules, which the bacteria subsequently infect. Inside, the Rhizobia differentiate into a form that can fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium.

My lab is interested in the evolution and development of legume nodules. In particular, we are interested in signaling networks within the plant that regulate nodule formation as well as in the evolution of nodulation. Our primary study system is the interaction between the model legume, Medicago truncatula and its rhizobial symbiont, Sinorhizobium meliloti.

Current Projects

Evolution of a predisposition for nodulation within the Leguminosae.

Role of the LATD gene in root meristem function and ABA signaling.

Regulation of the rhizobium-legume symbiosis by Jasmonic Acid.

A genetic screen for development genes with a role in nodulation.

Harris lab (July, 2005): Yan Liang (grad student), Stacy Jorgensen (undergrad), Jeanne Harris (PI), Lydia Bright (technician), Vinitha Cardoza (postdoc).

Selected Publications

• Ding, Y., Kalo, P., Yendrek, C., Sun, J., Liang, Y., Marsh, J., Harris, J. M. and Oldroyd, G. E. D. (2008). Abscisic acid coordinates Nod factor and cytokinin signaling during the regulation of nodulation. The Plant Cell, 20: 2681-2695.
• Liang, Y., Mitchell, D. M. and J. M. Harris. (2007). Abscisic Acid rescues the root meristem defects of the Medicago truncatula latd mutant. Developmental Biology 304(1):297-307.
• Sun, J., Cardoza, V., Mitchell, D. M., Bright, L., Oldroyd, G., and J. M. Harris. (2006). Crosstalk between Jasmonic acid, ethylene and Nod factor signaling allows integration of diverse inputs for regulation of nodulation. The Plant Journal 46:961-970.
• Liang, Y. and J. M. Harris. (2005). Response of root branching to Abscisic Acid is correlated with nodule formation both in legumes and non-legumes. American Journal of Botany 92:1675-1683.
• Bright, L. J., Liang, Y., Mitchell, D. M. and J. M. Harris. (2005). The LATD gene of Medicago truncatula is required both for nodule and root development. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 18(6):521-532.
• Harris, J. M., Wais, R. J. and S. R. Long. (2003). Rhizobium-induced calcium spiking in Lotus japonicus. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 16(4):335-341.
• Harris, J. M. (2002). Commentary: Shedding light on an underground problem. PNAS 99:14616-14618.
• Frugoli, J. and J. M. Harris (2001). Medicago truncatula on the move! The Plant Cell 13:458-463.

Last modified January 26 2009 01:44 PM