Judith Brown

The research focus of our lab involves use of surveillance genomics and molecular diagnostics of new and emergent plant viral/fastidious plant pathogens. We use functional genomics and genomics to study co-evolution of host/plant pathogen interactions and transmission pathways in insect vectors. Our work with algae spans traditional microbiology-sterile techniques for maintaining and scaling-up of cultivation species in collaboration with Chemical Engineering and Agriculture and Bioscience Engineering faculty, and molecular diagnostics for identification and quality control of cultures. We are also interested in global –omics analyses to understand microalga metagenomic-ecosystem level dynamics of the phycosphere (algae + bacteria + viruses) that interface with and support cultivation systems seeking to optimize biofuel farming. Current research in pathogen-algal host interactions focuses on Vampirovibrio chlorellovorus, an aggressive bacterial pathogen of Chlorella spp. that are hosts of this bacterium, including molecular monitoring using real-time quantitative PCR, gene expression analysis, and other -omics approaches that lead to a better understanding of the infection cycle, and thereby support management in outdoor cultivation system bioreactors. Past and current studies are addressing the selection and functional genomics of mechanisms that evolve in microalgae subjected to adaptive evolution to low phosphate fertilizer conditions, and the possibilities for genetic modification of algae to enhance performance. The lab trains technical support, and high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral associates in these areas of biological sciences to promote interfaces with genomics/functional genomics and machine learning and engineering faculty on the UA campus. We also collaborate with LANL, PNNL, and other US national laboratories on current projects.