Andrew Binns

Andrew Binns is a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Biology. His research focuses on the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying Agrobacterium-plant cell interactions, particularly the regulation of virulence genes and host signal recognition. He has held academic positions since 1979 after completing his Ph.D. at Princeton University and a postdoc at Rockefeller University.

Education:

• B.A., Lawrence University, 1971
• Ph.D., Princeton University, 1979
• Postdoctoral Research, Rockefeller University

Research Interests: His lab investigates two key questions: 1) How plant-derived signals activate Agrobacterium's virulence genes through the VirA/VirG two-component system, and 2) How the spatial/temporal distribution of plant signals influences bacterial pathogenesis. Recent studies include ChvE protein structure-function analysis and signal landscape mapping in host plants.

Article Trends: Publications focus on Agrobacterium virulence pathways, signal transduction mechanisms, and host-pathogen interactions, with emphasis on sugar signaling (ChvE), sensor kinases (VirA), and efflux systems. Recent work explores how environmental cues modulate pathogen behavior and host recognition.

Awards:

• Presidential Young Investigator Award (1984)

Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Department of Biology lab, collaborating on structural biology (e.g., ChvE-protein interactions) and functional genomics projects. Research integrates microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics to dissect plant-bacteria communication.