Mission Statement
The mission of this program is to foster research excellence and training activities in basic and applied plant molecular biology and biotechnology. The emphasis is on understanding mechanisms of plant physiology and plant-microbe interactions in addition to applying modern gene transfer and plant breeding technologies for improvement of ornamental and bioenergy crops, transgene (GM) confinement, and control of invasive plant species. New knowledge and discoveries gained from these activities will benefit students, citizens, and relevant industries, and ultimately contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the environment.

Program Faculty:

Carol A. Auer - Associate Professor of Plant Physiology

Gerald A. Berkowitz - Professor of Molecular Plant Biology

Yi Li - Associate Professor of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Mary Musgrave - Head of Department and Professor of Plant Physiology

Susanne von Bodman, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology