Project Description

Plants synthesize a diversity of volatile molecules that are important for reproduction and defense, and influence atmospheric chemistry. Despite progress in deciphering plant volatile biosynthesis, their release from the cell has been poorly understood. Work by our research groups has demonstrated active transport of volatiles out of epidermal cells, facilitated diffusion through the cell wall and cuticle composition dependent diffusion through the cuticle. We plan to examine whether intracellular lipid trafficking plays a significant role in transport of plant volatiles to the plasma membrane. Additionally, we will quantify the role wind velocity has on the emission rates of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere from flowers, trichomes and leaves.

Start Date

January 2025

Post Doc Qualifications

Ph.D. in chemical or biological engineering or plant sciences
Computational background in mass transfer modeling or experience with GC/MS of plant volatiles 

Co-Advisors

John A. Morgan, jamorgan@purdue.edu, Davidson School of Chemical Engineering
Natalia Dudareva, dudareva@purdue.edu, Department of Biochemistry 

Bibliography

1. Widhalm, Joshua R; Jaini, Rohit; Morgan, John A; Dudareva, Natalia; Rethinking how volatiles are released from plant cells. Trends in plant science. 20;545-550 (2015).
2. Tissier, Alain; Morgan, John A; Dudareva, Natalia; Plant volatiles: going ‘in’but not ‘out’of trichome cavities Trends in plant science. 22; 930-938 (2017)
3. Adebesin, F. et al. Emission of volatile organic compounds from petunia flowers is facilitated by an ABC transporter. Science. 356,1386-1388(2017). 10.1126/science.aan0826