Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Transport and Homeostasis in Plants

The Connolly lab is focused on studies of iron uptake and homeostasis in plants using a combination of genetics, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and genomic approaches. One major theme in the lab is the study of the high affinity iron transport system that functions at the root-soil interface. A second project focuses on uncovering the precise functions of a family of ferric chelate reductase enzymes in Arabidopsis. These studies should directly aid in efforts to improve plant responses to iron deficiency and to generate plants with enhanced nutritional content.  Iron deficiency represents the single most common human nutritional disorder, affecting approximately one-half of the world’s population.  Most people acquire their iron from plant sources; thus, ensuring that plants have higher stores of bio-available iron would help solve this important problem in human nutrition.