Campus

 

Michael R. Schläppi

Associate Professor
Wehr Life Sciences, 207
(414) 288-1480
E-mail

Diploma 1986, University of Basel, Switzerland 
Ph.D. 1990, University of Basel, Switzerland 
Postdoctoral Fellow, Carnegie Institute of Washington 


 

Molecular Biology of Cold Acclimation and Flowering Time Regulation in Plants 

We have molecular and genetic projects to investigate stress tolerance and flowering time regulation in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The EARLI1 type hybrid proline-rich gene family of Arabidopsis is involved in abiotic stress protection of plants and has antimicrobial properties. We are investigating which protein domains are involved in the diverse functions of those proteins. Information gained from this line of research can be used to improve agricultural plants. FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), an epigenetically regulated flowering time repressor in Arabidopsis is activated by two coiled-coil domain genes, FRIGIDA (FRI) and FRIGIDA LIKE 1 (FRL1). We have shown that there is natural variation at FRL1 and that some ecotypes substitute inactive FRL1 alleles with active alleles of a second gene, FRL2. We are currently investigating which protein domains of naturally occurring FRL alleles are necessary for FLC activation. Our long-term goal is to determine whether FRI and FRL proteins regulate FLC activity at the chromatin level, and whether homologs of these genes exist in biennial crops such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris vulgaris) or henbane (Hyoscyamus niger).

For more details on projects, please click on research program.

Selected Publications


Zhang, Y., Schläppi, M.  2007.  Cold responsive EARLI1 type HyPRPs improve freezing survival of yeast cells and form higher order complexes in plants. Planta 227: 233-243.

Schläppi, M.  2006. FRIGIDA LIKE 2 is a functional allele in Landsberg erecta and compensates for a nonsense allele of FRIGIDA LIKE 1.  Plant Physiol 142: 1728-1783.

Bubier, J., Schläppi, M.  2004.  Cold induction of EARLI1, a putative Arabidopsis lipid transfer protein, is light and calcium dependent. Plant Cell Env 27: 929-936.

Schläppi, M., Patel, M.  2001.  Biennialism and vernalization-promoted flowering in Hyoscyamus niger: a comparison with Arabidopsis. Flowering Newslet 31: 25-32. 

Schläppi, M.  2001.  RNA levels and activity of FLOWERING LOCUS C are modified in mixed genetic backgrounds of Arabidopsis thaliana. Int J Plant Sci 162: 527-537.

Wilkosz, R., Schläppi, M.  2000.  A gene expression screen identifies EARLI1 as a novel vernalization-responsive gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Mol Biol 44: 777-787.

Abstracts Presented at Meetings During 2007/2008

Schläppi, M. 2008.  EARLI1 type hybrid proline-rich protein (HyPRP) genes play distinct and overlapping roles in plant stress protection processes. ICAR7047, 19th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research, Montreal, Canada, July 23-27, 2008.

Schläppi, M.  2007.  The cold responsive hybrid proline-rich Arabidopsis protein EARLI1 is localized to the cell periphery and forms protein complexes via disulfide bonds. Gordon Research Conference on Temperature Stress in Plants, Ventura, CA, January 21-26, 2007.

Invited Talks During 2007/2008

EARLI1 type HyPRPs genes play distinct but overlapping roles in protecting plants against environmental stresses. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Beijing, China, June 6, 2008.

Cold war: the two tales of EARLI1 type HyPRPs genes. University of Fribourg, Switzerland, March 17, 2008.

EARLI1 type HyPRP genes improve freeze survival of yeast cells and form complexes in plants. Northwest University, Xi'an, China, December 27, 2007.

Courses

Current Students


M.S. 

Former Students

 
Ph.D. 

M.S.


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Biological Sciences Department

Marquette University, Wehr Life Sciences
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