Achievement

Beside producing O2 and fixing CO2, plants supply our food, feed, raw materials for industrial uses, and biomass for biofuels. Thus, basic plant biology and its applications are fundamental to mankind. Crop production is impacted by increased frequency of severe weather events, including droughts and floods. Through the chemical genomics approach fostered by UC Riverside’s ChemGen IGERT program, Professor Sean Cutler and his team identified an abscisic acid (ABA) receptor that is a key component in the drought stress response. Interaction of the small molecule ABA or the agonist pyrabactin with the receptor triggers a signal transduction network that prolongs survival of drought. The identification of the ABA receptor was recognized in the 2009 Top 10 Breakthrough list by Science magazine. Other bioactive molecules that inhibit growth and stress responses identified by trainees continue to be investigated for their potential application in basic research and crop management.