معرفی
Ann G. Matthysse is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic interaction between the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and plant host cells, particularly the initial stages of bacterial attachment and signal exchange. Her lab investigates the bacterial genes and plant receptors involved in this process, with recent work on cellulose synthesis, exopolysaccharides, and genetic regulation of virulence factors. Key areas of study include biofilm formation, bacterial adhesion assays, and host-specific recognition mechanisms.
Research highlights include cloning and sequencing genes required for bacterial attachment, characterizing plant signaling molecules, and identifying Arabidopsis mutants resistant to Agrobacterium infection. Her work bridges microbiology, plant pathology, and molecular genetics, with applications in biocontrol strategies and understanding plant defense mechanisms.
Publications emphasize bacterial adhesion dynamics, pathogen-host interactions, and the role of environmental factors like pH and solution composition in postharvest plant quality. Her findings contribute to both fundamental science and practical agricultural solutions, such as improving floral longevity and mitigating foodborne pathogen contamination.
