Guru Rao Research Interests

Professor
Structure-function relationships of plant proteins
Protein-protein interactions in plant signal transduction
Protein engineering

Our research interests in protein science are broad, with an emphasis on the biochemical characterization of proteins to establish structure-activity relationships, protein engineering for altering protein function, protein folding, protein stability and protein-protein interactions. As the genome sequencing projects ‘unravel’ the primary structure of proteins, the crux of the issue becomes not the sequence per se but the characterization of proteins (i.e. post-translational modifications) and establishing function not only in isolation but through a network of interactions. Currently, the focus in my laboratory is on the characterization of proteins involved in the differentiation of aleurone cells in corn endosperm, using a variety of biochemical, biophysical and proteomics techniques. The overall objective is to elucidate signal transduction pathways determining aleurone cell fate specification. In the seed, the endosperm is the storage body for proteins and the embryo is the site for storage of oil. Consequently, the ratio of the size of the endosperm and the embryo has important consequences for how much protein or oil can be extracted from the grain. Furthermore, the endosperm contains more than 90% of the starch in the kernel and is the chief constituent in corn for ethanol production. Thus, a fundamental understanding of the molecular processes that govern cell differentiation can facilitate a knowledge-based approach towards manipulation of endosperm development. Elucidation of the signal transduction pathways in seed development is expected to provide key insights into strategies to produce grain for food, feed and renewable fuels.