Member Institutions:

• Bowling Green State U.
• Cleveland State U.
• Kent State U.
• Medical College of Ohio
• Miami U.
• The Ohio State U.
• Ohio U.
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Toledo
• Wright State U.
• Youngstown State U.

Research Interests

Cell-to-Cell Signaling and Signal Transduction in Disease Resistance

Dr. Graham's research focuses on the molecular biology of signal perception and signal transduction in local and systemic induced plant disease resistance. The induction of disease resistance in plants in response to infection by a pathogen involves a complex cascade of molecular signals and events. They culminate in the expression of the defense responses which provide protection against the pathogen. The deployment of these responses involves multiple cell types, each of which plays a different role. We are interested in defining and characterizing the molecular, cellular and genetic nature of the cell-to-cell and intracellular signaling processes that regulate the defense reactions of different cells. Dr. Graham's research is primarily focused on these aspects in soybean. Our research involves a variety of techniques and frequent interaction with other scientists in the areas of plant pathology, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Emphasis is currently on utilizing the soybean EST database for functional genomics, including the development of DNA macroarrays for analysis of gene expression. Other projects include the development of novel chemical and genetic strategies for systemic, broad-spectrum and durable disease resistance in soybean.

Selected References

• Graham, T. L. 2000. "The biosynthesis and distribution of phytoestrogens and their roles in plant defense, signal transduction and cell-to-cell signaling." J. Medicinal Food, 2: 93-97.
• Graham, T. L. and Graham, M. Y. 1999. "Defense potentiation and competency: redox conditioning effects of salicylic acid and genistein." Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, Volume 5, Stacey, G. and Keen, N. T., eds., in press.
• Graham, T. L. and Graham, M. Y. 1999. "Role of hypersensitive cell death in conditioning elicitation competency and defense potentiation." Physiol. Molec. Plant Pathology, 55: 13-20.
• Graham, T.L. and Graham, M.Y. Rose, A.R., Poling, R.S. and Omer, M.A. 1999. "Identification and distribution of a specific peroxidase isoform functioning as a genistein-activated NADH oxidase central to defense competency in soybean." In Proceedings of the 1999 International Symposium on Peroxidase.
• Graham, T.L. 1998. "Flavonoid and flavonol glycoside metabolism in Arabidopsis." Plant Physiol. Biochem. 36: 135-144.
• Graham, T.L. and Graham, M.Y. 1996. "Signaling in soybean phenylpropanoid responses: dissection of primary, secondary and conditioning effects of light, wounding and elicitor treatments." Plant Physiol. 110:1123-1133.
• Graham, T. L. 1995. "Cellular biochemistry of phenylpropanoid responses of Soybean to infection by Phytophthora sojae." pp.85-116. In, Handbook of Phytoalexin Metabolism and Activity, M. Daniel and R. P. Purkayastha, eds., Marcel Dekker, New York.

Terry Graham's Plant Pathology Faculty Page
Ohio State Plant Pathology homepage
Ohio State University homepage
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