Robert Augustine

Ph.D. Plant Biology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 2011

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The ability to cope with biotic and abiotic challenges requires the detection and immediate initiation of defense responses that ultimately promotes survival. One conserved, eukaryotic response to a wide variety of stresses is the rapid, covalent attachment of small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) to intracellular target proteins. While SUMOylation has an established role in stress protection in animals, plants and fungi, we know little about the underpinning mechanism, affected targets, and physiological outcomes. The goal of my research is to understand the role of SUMO in plant stress protection using proteomic, biochemical, genetic, and next-generation sequencing approaches.