Michael J. Axtell Research Group

Penn State (Main campus)

How do plant microRNAs and siRNAs control gene regulation and evolution of plant development? The lab discovers and characterizes plant microRNAs and siRNAs and studies their functions in plant developmental evolution. Projects combine genomics and bioinformatics to identify small RNAs and their targets across plant species. Researchers use genetic, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to characterize microRNA biogenesis, processing, and target interactions. Current efforts include trans-species RNA mobility studies and assembly and annotation of parasitic plant genomes.