Current Research in the Hudson Lab
Lab Information
My lab is located in the College of Science in the Gosnell Building (Bldg 8). I share a suite of labs with Drs. Mike Savka and Dawn Carter. Research in my lab focuses on the identification and characterization of novel enzymes from plants specifically the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Currently, I have three main projects in my lab.
Research Project 1:The elucidation of plant genes involved in bacterial sensing
The overarching goal of this project is to identify plant genes from Arabidopsis thaliana that are involved in the sensing of pathogenic bacteria. The identification of these genes might play an integral role in the development of genetically engineered crop plants that are resistant or tolerant to diseases that are caused by these bacteria. We have developed a hybrid plate assay that we are using to challenge plants with compounds secreted from the bacteria E. caratovora (E.c.c) without the bacteria physically interacting with the pants. Using this assay, we hope to use Micro-array analysis and 2D-gel electrophoresis to identify new genes and proteins respectively that are involved in sensing of bacterial phytopathogens.
Research Project 2:The characterization of L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase over-expression in Arabidoposis thaliana
As a graduate student and post-doctoral associate, I was involved in the elucidation and characterization of a novel lysine biosynthetic pathway in plants. Lysine is an essential amino acid (nutrient) for all animals, including humans because it is an integral component in protein synthesis. Most importantly, it cannot be synthesized by humans. In fact, humans and animals acquire lysine either directly or indirectly from the consumption of plants. Since the amount of lysine present is plants is not sufficient for animal consumption which enables proper growth, synthetic lysine must be added to livestock feed. Although this strategy has worked for years, it is not cost effective given the fact that synthetic lysine is very expensive and this places an economic burden on farmers. If the over-expression of a crucial enzyme in the pathway is instrumental in driving the pathway towards lysine biosynthesis in plants, this technology may allow us to genetically engineer crop plants to over-produce lysine, so that it does not need to be added as a supplement to the diets of animals and humans
Research Project 3:The characterization of putative aminotransferase enzymes from Arabidopsis thaliana
Aminotranferases: (EC 2.6.1.x) are ubiquitous enzymes that are involved in amino acid biosynthesis, vitamin metabolism, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, secondary metabolism etc. They catalyze reversible reactions by transferring an amine group from a donor to an acceptor. The amino donor is usually an amino acid and the amino acceptor is usually a 2oxo-acid. In the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, there are 44 annotated aminotransferases. Using biochemical and bio-informatical approaches, I am interested in elucidating the function of the remaining aminotransferase enzymes that are deemed putative. One example is a putative tyrosine aminotransferase that an undergraduate student is now in the process of characterizing.
The Ping-Pong Mechanism of Aminotransferase Enzymes
1. conversion of amino acid substrate to an 2-oxoacid cognate
2. conversion of the 2-oxoacid substrate to its cognate amino acid
Image Source: http://www-biol.paisley.ac.uk/KINETICS/Chapter_4/chapter4_2_3.html
Supplementary Links
Lab Members
Pranav Prabhu |
Project: The cloning and characterization of a putative tyrosine aminotransferase from A. thaliana. |
Jeet Hirpara |
Project: The characterization of L,L-diaminopimelate aminotransferase over-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana |
Robert Van Buren |
Project:The characterization of tyrosine aminotransferase over-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana |
Nur Akmar Yusoff |
Project: The elucidation of genes involved in bacterial sensing Graduated Lab Member |
Hanis Nazihah Hasmad |
Project:The elucidation of genes involved in bacterial sensing Graduated Lab Member |
Contact Information
Andre O. Hudson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Rochester Institute of Technology
85 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: 585-475-4259
Fax:585-475-5766
aohsbi@rit.edu
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