Achievement

UC Riverside’s ChemGen IGERT program has fostered cross-disciplinary research in biology, chemistry and computer science that have led to identification of small molecule, drug-like compounds, which have aided the elucidation of basic genetic mechanisms of plants. The bioactive chemicals discovered impact specific pathways or broader cellular networks, providing important investigative tools for understanding cellular signaling, trafficking, gene regulation, metabolism, environmental responses and developmental processes. Compounds discovered by trainees include molecules that act as protectants from drought and pathogen infection. These compounds and related molecules have potential uses in agriculture. Through our focus on chemical genomics, we have trained a new generation of scientists who have integrated chemical biology, genomics, computer sciences, informatics, image analysis, and other cutting-edge approaches to advance the understanding of plants, their pests and pathogens.