My research is focused on understanding and using molecular biology and genomic approaches to improve crop plants for enhanced resistance to disease and to abiotic stress, such a drought and heat. We tuse gene editing and related methods to delete, mutate or enhance the activity of specific genes associated with the traits of interest. In addition, we are also using the model system C. elegans to examine the effects, define molecular targets and develop strategies for amelioration of these toxins when ingested by animals and humans.
Program Faculty
- Michael Lawton
- Associate Professor
- Department: Department of Plant Biology
- Graduate Program(s): Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
- Major Research Interest(s): Epigenetics/ Chromatin, Gene regulation, Pathogenesis, Signaling
- Research Techniques: Biochemistry, Cell culture, Genetic engineering, Genomics, Transcriptomics
- Research Organism(s): Bacteria, C. elegans, in silico, in vitro, Plants
- Phone: 1.8489326166
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- Foran Hall, Room 222A
- 59 Dudley Road
- New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520
- Key Words: Plant disease, host:pathogen interactions, genetic engineering, crop improvement, CRISPR, gene editing
- Lab Site URL