arabidopsisThe Plant Gene Expression Center (PGEC) conducts fundamental research in plant molecular biology. Researchers are elucidating the signal transduction pathways responsible for the perception of environmental and cellular cues. We are exploring disease resistance, light perception, the circadian clock, vegetative growth and the plant-associated microbiome. Essential genes and the networks within which they operate are elucidated using molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches.

The PGEC is a collaboration of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Plant & Microbial Biology Department of the University of California, Berkeley. The Center's principal investigators are faculty at UC Berkeley, and research opportunities are available in our laboratories for graduate and undergraduate students.

PGEC Greenhouse Manager to Retire

David Hantz, the PGEC greenhouse manager for the last 22 years, is retiring as of Oct. 31, 2014. David was instrumental in expanding the square footage of the greenhouse, initiating a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program, procuring upgrades to the greenhouse heating, cooling and control systems, and implementing energy savings by the use of LED lights. David has gone far beyond his job description in maintaining diverse plants and keeping them happy, as well as in training many researchers in safe greenhouse practices. He will be sorely missed by all. Click "Read more" to find out about his retirement plans. Posted 10/15/2014.

Winning Design for 2015 PGEC T-Shirt

Jutta Rosler of the Quail lab designed this shirt, which will be modeled by many PGEC personnel in the coming year. Posted 10/14/2014.

New Principal Investigator at the PGEC

Devin Coleman-Derr joins the PGEC on July 28, 2014. Devin will use computational biology tools to research drought response in sorghum. Posted 07/28/2014.

Fletcher Lab participates in Evolution Expo 2014

Jennifer Fletcher, her postdocs, and several PMB graduate students helped with Evolution Expo 2014, designed to help the public appreciate links between science and science fiction. Posted 07/28/2014.

PGEC T-shirt design competition coming in September

2015 will be the 13th year for the competition. Click "Read more" to see some winning designs from previous years. Posted 06/25/2014.

Quail Lab Paper in Science

Light signaling attenuated by mutually assured destruction. Ni, W., Xu, S-L., Tepperman, J.M., Stanley, D.J., Maltby, D. A., Gross, J.D., Burlingame, A. L., Wang, Z-Y., and Quail, P.H. (2014). A mutually assured destruction mechanism attenuates light signaling in Arabidopsis. Science 344: 1160-1164. Posted 06/24/2014.

Sarah Hake Inducted into the Science Hall of Fame

photograph of Sarah Hake
Sarah Hake was recently inducted into the Agricultural Research Service Science Hall of Fame. Hake is a pioneer in plant genomics and director of the Plant Gene Expression Center in Albany. She is one of the few women inductees and has made significant contributions to agricultural research. Posted 04/11/2014.

Hake Lab Member Speaks at PMB Retreat

Angus Vajk, a 2nd year graduate student in the Hake Lab, presented his work in a talk "fun in the Hake Lab" at the Plant and Microbial Biology Departmental Retreat, held Sept. 5-7 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA. Click "Read more" to find out about fun. Posted 09/08/2014.

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