معرفی
Christopher Schardl is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. His research focuses on heritable mutualistic symbioses between plants and seed-borne fungal symbionts (endophytes), with particular emphasis on how these fungi protect plants from insects, drought, and other stresses through the production of protective alkaloids.
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of California-Davis, 1983
- B.S. in Biochemistry, Cornell University, 1978
Professor Schardl's research centers on plant-fungal symbiosis, particularly focusing on endophytes that live within grasses. His work has discovered genes for synthesis of protective alkaloids including ergot alkaloids used in numerous pharmaceuticals, and the broadly anti-insect loline and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. To understand the evolution of the endophytes and their alkaloid genes, his lab has identified and described dozens of endophyte species and sequenced dozens of genomes and transcriptomes. They are also using this information to understand the basis for host-endophyte compatibility and vertical (seed) transmissibility that are crucial for maintaining mutualistically beneficial symbioses.
Schardl's recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on plant-fungal symbiosis, particularly examining the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying endophyte-mediated plant protection. His work spans multiple disciplines including molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and natural product chemistry. Recent research has explored transcriptomic responses to stress, CRISPR-based gene editing in endophytes, phylogenomic analysis methods, and the genetic diversity of Epichloë endophytes across different host grasses.
- Fellow, American Phytopathological Society
- Fellow, Mycological Society of America
- University of Kentucky President's Award for Diversity
- Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
- Harry E. Wheeler Chair in Plant Mycology
- Gamma Sigma Delta George Mitchell, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate Students
- Thomas Poe Cooper Award for Research in Agriculture
Professor Schardl has received continuous funding for his research on plant-fungal symbiosis from major agencies including NIH, NSF, and USDA. Current projects include 'Dimensions US-China: Collaborative Research: Impacts of heritable plant-fungus symbiosis on phylogenetic, genetic and functional diversity' (NSF DEB-2030225) and 'Improving Sustainability of Forage-based Production Systems' (USDA-ARS 2018-09140939). His lab has mentored numerous graduate students over his career, as evidenced by his receipt of the George Mitchell, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate Students.
The Schardl Lab at the University of Kentucky includes researchers like Patrick Calie (Professor), Simona Florea (Agriculture Research Specialist), and Padmaja Nagabhyru (Agriculture Research Specialist). The lab is part of the Department of Plant Pathology and collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions and disciplines on understanding the complex interactions between plants and their fungal endophytes.
