Dr. William Marcotte, Jr.

Professor
Ph.D. Microbiology
1987, University of Virginia
School of Medicine

Research Interests
Molecular Genetics
Transgenic Plants

Office: 216 Biosystems Research Complex
Phone: (864) 656-0119
Email: marcotw@clemson.edu

Research Activities

Seeds represent the connection between successive angiosperm plant generations. As part of the normal developmental program, most seeds experience severe dehydration yet, obviously, remain viable. My lab is interested in understanding the role of specific proteins in seed development and maturation, particularly those that may be involved in the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. Work is currently focused on investigating the function of several groups of proteins through the analysis of loss-of-function mutants in the model plant system Arabidopsis thaliana. Complementation analyses with wild-type and altered protein species will allow the eventual establishment of structure-function relationships. These genetic resources are also being exploited to better understand the gene networks involved in desiccation tolerance.

A second area of major interest is the expression of engineered protein polymers in transgenic plants. Spider dragline silk is a strong, elastic, waterproof, stretchable, biodegradable, natural ß-sheet protein polymer and the dragline silk of the spider  is the archetype for study of these materials is serving as a model for these studies.

This project is an interdepartmental collaboration in which the group's objectives are to (1) develop transgenic systems for the production of fiber forming protein polymers, and (2) understand arachnid biology of silk production to lay the foundation for the development of biomimetic protein fiber spinning. My lab is constructing synthetic genes encoding the two proteins present in spider dragline silk (Spidroin 1 and Spidroin 2) for expression in and purification from yeast and plants. The ultimate goal is to obtain sufficient quantities of recombinant protein for fiber and film production.

Recent Publications

Gaines IV, WA and Marcotte Jr, WR. Identification and Characterization of Multiple MaSp1 Genes in Nephila clavipes.In press.

Manfre, AJ, LaHatte, G, Climer, CR and Marcotte Jr, WR. Seed dehydration and the establishment of desiccation tolerance during seed maturation are altered in the Arabidopsis thaliana mutant atem6-1. Submitted.

Teulé, F, Aubé, C, Marcotte Jr, WR, Ellison, MS and Abbott, AG. Engineering and expression of collagen/spidroin 1 copolymer variants in yeast. In press.

Gilles, GJ, Hines, KM, Manfre, AJ and Marcotte Jr, WR (2007). A Predicted N-terminal Helical domain of a Group 1 LEA protein is required for protection of enzyme activity from drying. Plant Physiol Biochem 45:389-399.

Manfre, AJ, Lanni, LM and Marcotte Jr, WR (2006). The Arabidopsis thaliana Group 1 LEA Protein ATEM6 is Required for Normal Seed Development. Plant Physiol 140:140-149.

Additional Publication Resources