Dr. Jim Taylor

The Role of Green, Red, Blue, and White Light in Combinatorial Treatments and the Effect of Clinostat Treatment on Arabidopsis Development

In using custom LED light arrays, it is possible to investigate the morphological development of Arabidopsis thaliana.  Previous research has shown a unique green light sensing system in Arabidopsis where clear phenotypes consistent with a shade-avoidance response were observed, a response typically induced by far-red light.  The purpose of this study is to further investigate the response of Arabidopsis to variations in light irradiance (red, yellow, green, blue, white, and varying combinations) and to introduce an environment where the perception of gravity is altered using a clinostat.  This research will  not only help determine morphological development in various lighting scenarios but will also aid in determining how plants may respond to an altered gravitational state, not zero gravity as in outer space, but in the plants perception of gravity.  These results will give insight into how a plant may respond to gravitational alterations in long term space travel under the artificial light provided by LED light arrays.