Principle Investigator
Sheng Yang He, Ph.D.
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University Distinguished Professor, HHMI/GBMF Investigator Hes@msu.edu  |
I am broadly interested in biological processes that mediate the molecular interplay between plants and microbes. In the past two decades, I led an interactive group of postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in exploring novel phenomena in bacterial pathogenesis and disease susceptibility in plants. In addition, I teach graduate classes on plant and microbial biology and contribute to the large scientific community through serving on a variety of committees. Read Current Biology Q&A Article |
Lab Manager
Gaëlle Cassin-Ross, Ph.D.
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Lab Manager cassin@msu.edu curriculum vitae  |
Technicians
Caitlin Thireault, M.S.
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Technician thireaul@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
Innate immune responses offer protection against a broad-range of microorganisms and potential pathogens. I am interested in dissecting innate immunity to identify novel contributing factors and refine our current understanding of plant-microbe interactions. |
Postdoctoral Researchers
Kyaw (Joe) Aung, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher aungkyaw@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
Although the Arabidopsis-Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 pathosystem has been extensively studied to elucidate basic principles underlying plant-pathogen interactions, little is known whether and how bacteria modulate adjoining non-infected plant cells for successful infection. My project aims at understanding how phytobacteria modulate host cell-to-cell communication to facilitate bacterial spread and multiplication in plants. |
Alex Brutus, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher brutusal@msu.edu |
With great sadness we say good bye to our friend and colleague, Dr. Alex Brutus, who passed away December 31, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with the incurable disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Alex was an inspiring scientist, a genuine friend, and a caring husband and father. Alex’s boundless passion for science and creativity will always be a part of the He lab. Although Alex’s illness hampered completion of his postdoctoral research, he was an important contributor to several projects, including the following published works: Broad-spectrum defense against plant pathogens. Brutus A, and He SY. Nat Biotechnol. 2010 A genetic screen reveals Arabidopsis stomatal and/or apoplastic defenses against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. Zeng W, Brutus A, Kremer JM, Withers JC, Gao X, Jones AD, He SY. PLoS Pathog. 2011 A bacterial tyrosine phosphatase inhibits plant pattern recognition receptor activation. Macho AP, Schwessinger B, Ntoukakis V, Brutus A, Segonzac C, Roy S, Kadota Y, Oh MH, Sklenar J, Derbyshire P, Lozano-Durán R, Malinovsky FG, Monaghan J, Menke FL, Huber SC, He SY, Zipfel C. Science. 2014 |
Danve Castroverde, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher danve.online@gmail.com Website |
My primary research interest is molecular plant-pathogen interactions because of the remarkable interplay between two organisms and various factors. I joined the He Lab to examine and dissect how elevated temperature as an abiotic/environmental stress influences the plant defense signalling network. |
YuTi Cheng, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher yutic@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
Using a reverse genetics approach, I study the function of Arabidopsis genes whose expression are affected by the bacterial elicitor flg22, the bacterial toxin coronatine, and/or the salicylic acid analog BTH. |
Bethany Huot, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher huotbeth@msu.edu curriculum vitae | I am currently working to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature modulation of salicylic acid-mediated signaling and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 pathogenesis in Arabidopsis. As a result of my growing passion for teaching and mentoring students pursuing scientific careers, I started The Pub Club (www.thepubclubhub.org), one goal of which is to increase communication and collaboration among scientists at every stage. |
Kinya Nomura, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher nomura@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
I am working on Pseudomonas syringae Type-III effectors which suppress plant immunity during infection. |
André Velásquez, Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher acvl@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
My research is currently focused on understanding the mechanisms by which PAMP-triggered immunity is able to prevent pathogen establishment and growth. I am also investigating the variability of resistance to Pseudomonas syringae encountered in different natural accessions of Arabidopsis. Finally, a third project in which I am involved focuses into engineering new resistance pathways in plants. |
Li Zhang, M.S., Ph.D.
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Postdoctoral Researcher zhangl25@msu.edu curriculum vitae | The overall goal of my thesis research is to understand how the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae infects plants. The first project of my thesis research is aimed at engineering jasmonate receptor mutants that have reduced sensitivity to coronatine, but preserve responsiveness to endogenous jasmonate. The second project of my thesis is to clone Arabidopsis genes that, when mutated, restore the virulence of coronatine-deficient mutants of P. syringae bacteria. |
Graduate Students
Brad Paasch
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Ph.D. Student paaschbr@msu.edu curriculum vitae |
My research focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms in which a plant microbiome influences host processes. The role of a microbiome on plant development and innate immunity are of particular interest to my research. |
Adam Seroka
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Ph.D. Student serokaad@msu.edu |
My research focuses on the interaction between Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Arabidopsis thaliana and how local infection and activation of defense systemically disrupts plant growth and movements. By studying the interconnected nature between plant pathogens, defense, and development, we can gain a broader insight into the molecular mechanisms that regulate plant behavior. |
Undergraduates
Franchesca Dion - dionfran@msu.edu
Matthew Ferrari - ferrar21@msu.edu
Jennifer Lee - leesari@msu.edu
Tanner Neher - ta.neher@gmail.com
Trevor Ulrich - ulrichtr@msu.edu
Jessica Wood - woodjes5@msu.edu
Visiting Scholars
Dr. Yanjuan Jiang |
jyj@xtbg.org.cn |
| Dr. Tao Chen | chentao4@msu.edu |
As a tradition, the He lab takes an annual overnight retreat up north to the beautiful Au Sable River for boating, games, fishing, relaxation, and of course, riveting scientific discussions (2014)
Playing some music at Sheng Yang's house (2012)
Lab ski trip to Crystal Mountain (2013)
