INVESTIGATION OF METABOLIC MECHANISMS UNDERLYING JUGLONE RESISTANCE

The research goal of this project is to identify the genes in black walnut trees (Juglans nigra)responsible forpreventing autotoxicity to their produced allelochemical, juglone. The training goal of this project is to provide skills and knowledge to a PhD student for a career in industry. To reach these goals, the objectives of this proposal are as follows:>Research Goal: Identify juglone detoxification genes in black walnut.Research Objectives:Objective 1:Identify and characterize hydrojuglone glucosyltransferase(s) involved in detoxifying jugloneObjective 2:Identify and characterize the β-glucosidase(s) involved in freeing active juglone from hydrojuglone glucoside (HJG)>Training Goal: To prepare a PhD student for a career in the agricultural biotech industryTraining Objectives:Training Goal 1: Develop interdisciplinary skills required to study plant metabolismTraining Goal 2 : Improve leadership and mentoring abilitiesTraining Goal 3: Professional development and establishing a robust professional networkTraining Goal 4: Strengthenwrittenand oral communication skills