Blaine Marchant

Blaine Marchant, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on plant reproductive biology, development, ecology, and evolution using advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), comparative genetics/genomics, and digitized herbarium specimens. The Marchant Lab investigates both model and non-model plant systems to address fundamental biological questions.

• Research Interests: Plant reproductive development, genome evolution, ecological adaptation, and innovative genomics methodologies.
• Key Projects: Development of FX-Cell for plant single-cell genomics, gene editing in ferns, phasiRNA biogenesis, and chloroplast signaling evolution.

Recent publications highlight his work on thermosensitive male sterility in wheat, anther somatic niche formation, fern genome dynamics, and evolutionary adaptations in land plants. The lab integrates computational and experimental approaches to study molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive traits and ecological resilience.