Center for Reproductive Biology

Participating Faculty


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Name: Diter von Wettstein
Department: Crop & Soil Sciences
Credentials: 1953~Ph.D. University of Tübingen ú Biology, Biochemistry 1953~Ph.D. University of Stockholm ú Genetics
Office: Johnson 267
Phone: 509-335-3635
Fax: 509-335-8674
Mailing Address: Crop & Soil Sciences
PO Box 646420
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
E-mail: diter@wsu.edu

Research Interests

Plant Reproduction

Research Summary

The focus of my research is working on genetic transformation of immature zygotic embryos of barley with the aim of producing transgenic plants that express recombinant proteins in the developing endosperm. This has led to a highly productive expression system for value adding microbial enzymes and mammalian proteins with prospective health care functions. We are working on establishing a similar system for wheat and on projects to obtain homozgous transgenic plants by transformation of haploid microspores, that develop somatic embryo's after spontaneous doubling of their chromosomes. In the plant reproduction program I am focusing on epigenetic changes of gene transcription during pollen and endosperm development in cereals.

Research Publications

2005-2009

Zhang, M., C. Xu, H. Yan, N. Zhao, D. von Wettstein, and B. Liu, Limited tissue culture-induced mutations and linked epigenetic modifications in F hybrids of sorghum pure lines are accompanied by increased transcription of DNA methyltransferases and 5-methylcytosine glycosylases. Plant J, 2009. 57(4): p. 666-79.

Bartsch, S., J. Monnet, K. Selbach, F. Quigley, J. Gray, D. von Wettstein, S. Reinbothe, and C. Reinbothe, Three thioredoxin targets in the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts function in protein import and chlorophyll metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2008. 105(12): p. 4933-8.

Sidhu, G.K., S. Rustgi, M.N. Shafqat, D. von Wettstein, and K.S. Gill, Fine structure mapping of a gene-rich region of wheat carrying Ph1, a suppressor of crossing over between homoeologous chromosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2008. 105(15): p. 5815-20.

Nirmala, J., S. Dahl, B.J. Steffenson, C.G. Kannangara, D. von Wettstein, X. Chen, and A. Kleinhofs, Proteolysis of the barley receptor-like protein kinase RPG1 by a proteasome pathway is correlated with Rpg1-mediated stem rust resistance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2007. 104(24): p. 10276-81.

von Wettstein, D., From analysis of mutants to genetic engineering. Annu Rev Plant Biol, 2007. 58: p. 1-19

Nirmala, J., R.Brueggeman, C. Maier, C. Clay, N. Rostoks, C. G. Kannangara, D. von Wettstein, B.J. Steffenson & A. Kleinhofs (2006) Subcellular localization and functions of the barley stem rust resistance receptor-like serine/threonine-specific protein kinase RPG1. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 103: 7518-7523.

Wettstein, D. von (2006) Fascinations with Chloroplasts and Chromosome Pairing. Introductory Review; Progress in Botany Vol. 67, 2-28.

Jansen, C., D. von Wettstein, W. Schäfer, K-H. Kogel, A. Felk & F.J. Maier (2005) Infection patterns in barley and wheat inoculated with wild-type and trichodiene synthase gene disrupted Fusarium graminearun. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 102, 16892-16897.

Waller, F., B. Achatz, H. Baltruschat, J. Fodor, K.Becker, M. Fischer, T.Heier, R.Hückelhoven, C. Neumann, D. von Wettstein, P. Franken & K.-H. Kogel (2005) The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica reprograms barley to salt-stress tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yield. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 13386-13391.

Rzeznicka, K., C.J.Walker, T. Westergren, C.G. Kannangara, D.von Wettstein, S. Merchant, S.P. Gough & M. Hansson (2005) Xantha-l  encodes a membrane protein subunit of the aerobic  Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 5886-5891.


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