Frans Tax

Frans Tax is a Professor at the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His research focuses on understanding plant cell fate mechanisms, particularly stem cells and their differentiation into specialized cell types, as well as applying developmental genetics to improve crop plant architecture. He holds a BA in Zoology from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Washington, with postdoctoral training at the University of Wisconsin.

Teaching responsibilities include MCB 422 (Problem Solving Using Genetic Tools) and MCB 546 (Genetic and Molecular Networks). His research integrates molecular genetics and developmental biology to study plant growth regulators like brassinosteroids and receptor-like kinases involved in root development, vascular patterning, and immune responses. Key contributions include elucidating the roles of BAK1, BIR, and SERK kinases in cell signaling pathways.

His work spans fundamental discoveries in plant hormone signaling (brassinosteroids) and applied research in crop engineering. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on receptor kinases' roles in growth regulation and immunity. Collaborations include PREP (Partnership for Research & Education in Plants), engaging high school students in authentic scientific research.