Susheng Gan

Leaf senescence is an integral part of plant development that limits the yield of certain crops. (Yellowing leaves lose their photosynthetic capability.) Senescence also contributes to much of the postharvest loss of vegetable crops. The long-term goal of my research is to unveil the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the leaf yellowing process or senescence so that we can use the molecular findings to devise ways to manipulate senescence genetically for agricultural improvement. Various molecular, genetic and genomic approaches have been employed to clone and analyze genes that are either driving or retarding the senescence program in Arabidopsis and tobacco plants. My ongoing projects include (i) functional characterization of a subset of senescence-specific transcription factor genes in Arabidopsis, (ii) networking leaf senescence transcription factors in Arabidopsis, (iii) map-based positional cloning and characterization of genetic loci that regulate expression of senescence-specific genes, and (iv) development and use of TASSEL tagging system for cloning senescence-inhibiting genes in tobacco plants.

Outreach and Extension Focus

I have actively participated in numerous outreach activities to show stakeholders and business sectors how research on senescence is important, how our senescence-manipulating technologies have been developed/invented, and how our technologies can be best utilized for our daily life and society.