Ph.D. - Washington State University, 1969
Phone:(301)405-1641
E-mail:pb23@umail.umd.edu
Research Interests: Plant Molecular Genetics
Lab Page :
Bottino Lab
Current research projects center around molecular genetics and specifically Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. Three projects are following an approach that has been termed reverse genetics This approach involves working backward from a cloned and sequenced gene to determine phenotype and function rather than using the altered phenotype to identify and characterize the gene as is usually done. Reverse genetic uses an antisense RNA approach. It involves transformation with cloned genes for which no function is known arranged in the antisense orientation in the transformation vector. When expressed in transgenic plants, the antisense RNA molecule being complementary to the m-RNA from the target gene, inactivates the m-RNA from that gene, thereby eliminating its function. When the altered expression level of the target gene is associated with a change in the visible phenotype, identification of the process, and ultimately the function the gene is involved in can be made. All experiments are presently being conduct in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Presently this reverse genetic approach is being utilized to identify the function of three genes which have been recently cloned and sequenced in the laboratory or in the laboratory of collaborators. These genes are the following. A receptor-like protein kinase which was originally cloned from rice, but presently we are screening for homologues in Arabidopsis. These genes will be used in antisense transformation experiments to determine their function.
The second gene is a light regulated protein kinase gene cloned from Arabidopsis. Transcripts of this gene accumulate differentially during etiolation (dark) and deetiolation (light). We conclude that this gene is photoregulated and may function in a light signal transduction pathway.
In addition there is a project to identify and clone genes encoding cellulases in Arabidopsis. Presently, several unique genes have been obtained which are similar to abscission related cellulase genes from tomato. Work is progressing to further characterize these genes.
Finally we are interested in evaluation new genes which might be used as selectable markers for transgenic plants. Presently we have a project evaluating resistance to the herbicide Chlorsulfuron in Arabidopsis.
I teach a course entitled Principles of Genetics which is the introductory course in genetics. I also teach a section of our Plant Biology course for non-science majors. [Note: in 1992 Dr. Bottino was given the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching and Advising.]
Ross Rupert
Mike Shives
Tanaji Mitra
Feng, X.-H., P.J. Bottino & S.D. Kung. 1992. Molecular identification of a soybean protein kinase gene family by using PCR. Plant Mol. Biol. 18: 581-584
Feng, X.-H., Y. Zhao, P.J. Bottino & S.D. Kung. 1993. Cloning, expression and structural analysis of a novel member of protein kinase family from soybean Biocim. Biophys. Acta 1172: 200-204.
Yi, Y., P.A. Feldstein, P.J. Bottino, & R.A. Owens. 1996. Role of the variable domain in modulating potato spindle tuber viroid replication. Virology 219:45-56.
Zhao, Y., P.J. Bottino, & S.D. Kung. 1994. Molecular and biochemical characterization of a receptor serine/threonine kinase from rice. Plant Mol. Biol. 26: 791- 803.
Yi Hu, Feldstein, Paul A., Bottino Paul J., Owens Robert A. 1996. Role of the variable domain inmodulating potato spindle tuber viroid replication. Virology 219:45- 56.
Zhao, Y., J.C. Watson, S.-D. Kung, & P.J. Bottino. 1995. Characterization of a cDNA encoding ribosomal protein S16 in rice. Plant Physiol. 107: 1471-1772.