معرفی
Dr. Tariq A. Akhtar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on plant natural products, specialized metabolites, and their roles in plant-environment interactions. He employs genomic, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches, collaborating with experts in chemistry, food science, and neurobiology. Key interests include metabolic pathways, secondary metabolite synthesis, and the interplay between plant primary/secondary metabolism.
Education: B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Waterloo; Ph.D. from the University of Florida; Postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan.
Research interests span plant metabolite biosynthesis, particularly in medicinal and industrial contexts. His work explores enzymes like polyprenol reductase, farnesyl diphosphate synthases, and pathways for cannabinoids (Cannabis sativa), antimicrobial compounds (e.g., avocatin B), and stress-responsive molecules in plants. Recent studies highlight the role of medium-chain polyprenols in chloroplast membrane dynamics and the catabolism of salicylic acid in white campion.
Notable collaborations include studies on avocatin B’s anti-obesity effects and the antidepressant-like properties of kratom alkaloids. His lab is based at SSC 4405-6, with an office in SSC 4461.
Dr. Akhtar’s work bridges fundamental plant biology with applied research, contributing to drug discovery, agricultural innovation, and metabolic engineering.
