Danqiong Huang dissertation video

Danqiong Huang presented her Plant Sciences Ph.D. Exit Seminar on Friday, December 19, 2014. Her research is titled Cloning and characterization of the iron-regulated transporter (IRT) genes and their transcription factors in Populus.

Huang’s research objective was to better understand iron deficiency response mechanisms in woody species. She found that two genotypes of Populus tremula have differing sensitivity to iron deficiency. The iron deficiency tolerant genotype had higher expression levels of iron-regulated transporter gene (PtIRT1) and its transcription factor (PtFIT) than the iron deficiency sensitive genotype. A strong correlation of expression levels of PtIRT1 and PtFIT was found in the iron deficiency tolerant genotype but not in the iron deficiency sensitive genotype. Enhanced iron deficiency tolerance was found in the PtFIT- transgenic poplar plants. The results of her research indicate that PtIRT1 and PtFIT are involved in the iron deficiency response and overexpression of PtFIT could enhance the tolerance of iron deficiency.

Huang received the Charles and Linda Moses Presidential Graduate Fellowship for the 2011-12 academic year and was the Plant Sciences Graduate Student Association’s Secretary for the 2011 calendar year. She would like to continue research work in a postdoctoral position.

Huang’s graduate committee included Dr. Xiwen Cai, Dr. Michael J. Christoffers, Dr. Edward Deckard, and Dr. Ann Denton. Her adviser was Dr. Wenhao Dai.

Source: Danqiong Huang (contact Dr. Wenhao Dai, 701-231-8473, wenhao.dai@ndsu.edu)
Author: Shannon Ueker, 701-231-7971, shannon.ueker@ndsu.edu
Editor: Karen Hertsgaard, 701-231-5384, karen.hertsgaard@ndsu.edu