Research

Generation of mutations in the 5' UTR of MYB28 using the CRISPR-Cas9 System

Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida

PI: Dr. Jeongim Kim

       I have been working on this project under Dr. Kim in her biochemical genetics lab in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the University of Florida since January 2024. 

       The research focus of this project is to determine how mutations in the 5' UTR (untranslated region) of a gene (called MYB28) in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana have an effect on translational efficiency of glucosinolates, a plant compound found in the mustard family which has many biochemical roles. These compounds are desirable for their taste in mustard family plants, as well as their health benefits to consumers. The CRISPR constructs we are using induce mutations in certain regions of the 5' UTR, which hasn't been well-studied, in order to elucidate the role of the 5' UTR in the glucosinolate biosynthetic pathway.

       My responsibilities for this project include performing PCR for desired DNA segments, gel electrophoresis to compare different plants that have been successfully mutated, and other various roles associated with obtaining data on plant metabolite production.  

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