Franks, Robert G

Plant and Microbial Biology
bob_franks@ncsu.edu
919-513-7705
919-515-3355 fax

I study how organ size and shape are controlled in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Reproductive competence of flowering plants requires proper development of the carpel, which is the female reproductive organ of the plant. The meristematic regions along the margin of the developing carpel generate ovules that will later develop into seeds. These meristematic regions are functionally analogous to the mammalian ovary and placenta. The carpel margin meristems (CMMs) provide an excellent system to study basic questions in developmental biology such as patterning, the regulation of cellular proliferation and the control of organ size and shape. My research program seeks to clarify basic mechanisms of organ size and shape regulation and understand relationships between patterning cues and cellular proliferation within the carpel. Current research focuses on (1) characterization of expression patterns of key regulatory molecules and patterns of cellular division during carpel development and (2) identification and functional studies of additional genes that play a critical role in CMM development.

Expertise:
Plant Genomics and Genetics

Type(s) of International Experience:
Researcher in an international project | Visiting faculty | Advisor for international students | Host for international faculty | Host for international post-doc

Research Focus:

My research program seeks to clarify basic mechanisms of organ size and shape regulation and understand relationships between patterning cues and cellular proliferation within the carpel. Current research focuses on (1) characterization of expression patterns of key regulatory molecules and patterns of cellular division during carpel development and (2) identification and functional studies of additional genes that play a critical role in CMM development.

Language(s):
Indonesian | Swedish

Sabbaticals:
Sabbatical - Sweden
Year: 2012
Country: Sweden
Institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden

Projects:
International SEXSEED Consortium Research project
06/15/2016 - 06/15/2019
Funding Agency/Sponsor:
Institutional Partner:

Fruitlook - PIRSES International Consortium on fruit development Development project
01/01/2013 - 03/15/2018
Funding Agency/Sponsor:
Institutional Partner: New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), USA

Project Collaborations:
International SEXSEED Consortium
06/15/2016 - 06/15/2019
Funding Agency/Sponsor:
Institutional Partner:

CALS International Programs

Faculty Overview

Franks, Robert G