Dr. Hong Luo

Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator
Ph.D. Molecular Biology
1995, Catholic University of Louvain

Research Interests
Transgenic Plants
Genomics

Office: 110 Biosystems Research Complex
Phone: (864) 656-1746
Email: hluo@clemson.edu

Research Activities

Site-specific DNA recombinases are enzymes that recognize specific DNA sequences, and in the presence of two such recombination sites they catalyze the recombination of DNA strands. Recombination between directly oriented sites leads to excision/integration of the DNA between them, whereas recombination between inverted target sites causes inversion of the DNA between them. Some site-specific recombination systems do not require additional factors for their function and are capable of functioning accurately and efficiently in various heterologous organisms.

We are interested in the great potentials of site-specific recombination system s for use as genetic tools for precise and predictable engineering of plant genomes. Using recombinant DNA and transgenic technologies, we are investigating the in vivo functionality of a particular recombination system, FLP/ FRT from the 2 micron plasmid of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), in crop species, rice and turfgrass. We are also evaluating this system for use in making hybrid plants in crop species, and in developing molecular strategies for controlled total vegetative growth in transgenic perennial grasses for the purpose of mitigating transgene escape.

Another area of research interest is gene discovery in cereal crops. Particularly, we are interested in identification, characterization and application of genetic mechanisms determining plant dwarfism and other related morphologies. A couple of knockout mutant rice lines have been obtained using T-DNA insertional mutagenesis. These mutants displayed different degrees of dwarfism and some other morphological changes. Work is currently focused on cloning and functional study of genes directly and indirectly involved in these mutated phenotypes. Our long-term goal is to identify candidate genes useful in agricultural biotechnology to produce genetically engineered crops with desired morphology.

Biotechnology provides excellent opportunities for greatly accelerating the process of genetic improvement of crop species for agricultural production. We have established, in our lab, reliable genetic transformation systems for large-scale production of transgenic plants in several important crop species, such as turfgrass, rice and soybean. We are also interested in developing methodologies for genetic transformation of fruit tree species, such as peach ( Prunus persica L.). The long-term goal is to eventually establish a plant transgenic core facility, conducting routine genetic transformation of various plant species with agriculturally important genes for trait modifications.

Recent Publications

Qian Hu, Halina Kononowicz-Hodges, Kimberly Nelson-Vasilchik, David Viola, Peiyu Zeng, Haibo Liu, Albert P. Kausch, Joel M. Chandlee, Thomas K. Hodges, Hong Luo (2008) FLP-mediated site-specific recombination in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal 6:176-188.

Karthikeyan Pasupathy, Sijie Lin, Qian Hu, Hong Luo, Pu Chun Ke (2008) Direct plant gene delivery with a poly(amidoamine) dendrimer. Biotechnology Journal 3:1078-1082.

Fangyuan Gao, Guangjun Ren, Xianjun Lu, Shuxia Sun, Haojie Li, Yongming Gao, Hong Luo, Wengui Yan, Yizheng Zhang (2008) QTL analysis for the resistance to pre-harvest sprouting in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Plant Breeding 127:268-273.

Shu Xia Sun, Fang Yuan Gao, Xian Jun Lu, Xian Jun Wu, Xu Dong Wang, Guang Jun Ren, Hong Luo (2008) Genetic analysis and gene fine mapping of aroma in rice. Genetics and Molecular Biology 31:532-538.

Rongda Qu, Hong Luo, Virgil D. Meier (2008) Turfgrass, In: Compendium of Transgenic Crop Plants: Transgenic Plantation Crops, Ornamentals and Turf Grasses, Kole C, Hall TC (eds), Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, pp. 177-218.

Additional Publication Resources