Life is hard. Among the many challenges is gathering and responding to information about an ever-shifting environment. One solution to this challenge is the evolution of mechanisms to convert information gathered by cellular receptors — which act like antennae to monitor the environment — into chemical signals. These chemical signals can then be translated by networks of interacting molecular factors into changes in cell growth or identity. In multicellular organisms, cellular events must be integrated into larger programs that operate at the tissue, organ or even whole organism level. We investigate how the architecture and dynamics of signaling networks allow for the effective processing and integration of information, and how plants tune these networks to optimize their morphology for a given environment.
Much of our work is inspired by insights gleaned from the recapitulation of the auxin response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (AuxInYeast). AuxInYeast is a high-throughput assay for relief of repression of a single synthetic locus, triggered by the auxin molecule itself acting as “molecular glue” to increase affinity of F-box receptors and corepressor-linked substrates/coreceptors.
Key advantages include: the simplicity of a degradation-triggered system that does not require post-translational modification (e.g. phosphorylation) of the substrates; use of heterologous components that allow manipulation and monitoring of a single locus without disturbing endemic cell state; circumvention of genetic redundancy in auxin components in plants. These features have enabled AuxInYeast to act as a bridge between computational models and multicellular phenomena (like development), repeatedly leading us to new knowledge of conserved eukaryotic cell biology. Specifically, AuxInYeast, in combination with transgenic plant studies, led to two key discoveries:
Comprehensive structure-function studies of fundamental life functions (like protein degradation or transcription) can be challenging as mutant phenotypes are often hopelessly pleiotropic or lethal. We have worked hard to complement AuxInYeast assays with molecular genetic tools in Arabidopsis and mammalian cells. In plants, these tools include a number of new approaches for cell-type-specific interventions connected to the inducible and quantitative read-out of secondary root development. For example, we have built a serine integrase-based system where we can induce a switch between a wild-type and mutant form of any gene of interest with a high degree of spatiotemporal control. We have also used integrases to engineer a single cell molecular recorder of transcriptional history that can be applied in a variety of contexts.
For the most recent publications from the Nemhauser Lab, please use these links:
Where are they now? Click on underlined names.
SRSLY?SRSLY – a series of audio reflections on mentorship and lab culture by Prof. Jennifer Nemhauser
Changing Cultures and Climates – diversity, inclusivity, and equity in the international plant science community
Art can provide an opening into abstract material and a bridge between academic and public spheres. This NSF-funded residency (IOS-1539834) brings a local artist into the Nemhauser Lab for one quarter in each of the three years of the grant. In this “immersion” experience, the artist has a desk in the lab and participates in lab meetings, department seminars and journal clubs. In the year following their residency, the artist produces at least one work inspired by their experience. These artworks will be incorporated into future classes. By collaborating with an artist in this way, we hope to discover novel ways to help students access abstract concepts and encourage a more nuanced exploration of modern biology by artists.
Deed of Gift is an art project by Matthew Offenbacher and Jennifer Nemhauser that takes the form of a collection of artworks given to the Seattle Art Museum for their permanent collection. The artworks were purchased using proceeds from the Neddy at Cornish Award in Painting, which Offenbacher received in 2013. Working closely with Catharina Manchanda, SAM’s Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Offenbacher and Nemhauser tailored their acquisitions to needs of the museum, with a particular emphasis on feminist and queer themes.
for information about methods, resources, positions, and other questions related to the lab contact:
jennifer nemhauser (LSB 573, jn7 at u.washington.edu)
shipping address:
department of biology, university of washington, box 351800, seattle, wa 98195-1800
lab location:
LSB 5W