Molecular and Cellular Dynamics in Plant Reproduction
Molecular and Cellular Dynamics in Plant Reproduction

Contact Information

Dr. Tomo Kawashima
Principal Investigator

452 Plant Science Building Lexington, KY 40546-0091

859-257-2715

tomo.k@uky.edu

Tomo Kawashima

Tomo Kawashima

Tomo Kawashima

Tomo Kawashima

Assosciate Professor

Leadership
321 Plant Science Building 1405 Veterans Drive Lexington, KY 40546-0312

Last Revised: Apr 3rd, 2023

Professional Biography

AREAS OF INTEREST

Advances in live-cell imaging technology and the collection of cell marker lines have allowed to visualize dynamic movement of gamete cells and nuclei during fertilization. Very recently, live imaging of embryo development in the model plant Arabidopsis become possible. One of our lab focuses is to understand the dynamic movement and importance of cytoskeleton during fertilization and seed development through live-cell imaging.

  The evolution of land plants is marked by at least three reproductive innovations: (i) the establishment of multicellular sporophytes by bryophytes, (ii) the acquisition of elaborate reproductive structures including seeds and pollens in gymnosperms, and (iii) the invention of flowers and double fertilization in angiosperms. Marchantia polymorpha is a bryophyte, considered as one of the earliest diverging land plants. Using Marchantia and Arabidopsis, our lab would like to establish an Evo-Devo project to understand how land plants acquired important reproductive traits during evolution.

 PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

  • Assistant Professor (2016-Present)
    Plant & Soil Sciences Department, University of Kentucky
  • Senior Research Fellow (2014–2016)
    Gregor Mendel Institute, Austria – Fred Berger group
  • Research Fellow (2010–2014)
    Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Singapore - Fred Berger Group

LINKS

Education

Ph.D., Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, 2009
B.S., University of Tsukuba, 2002

Contact Information

Dr. Tomo Kawashima
Principal Investigator

452 Plant Science Building Lexington, KY 40546-0091

859-257-2715

tomo.k@uky.edu