Prof. Eiji Nambara
- Please tell us about yourself and your research/institution.
I am a professor in the department of Cell and Systems Biology, at the University of Toronto. My lab has studied the role of ABA catabolism in seed maturation, dormancy, and germination, including the first identification of CYP707As as ABA 8'-hydroxylase genes. We also found that environmental changes, such as nitrate and humidity, alter the expression of ABA catabolism genes as primary responses. My interest in studying ABA began with my MSc supervisor, Prof. Peter McCourt. The continuation of this topic was influenced by Dr. Yuji Kamiya, a group director at the RIKEN Plant Science Center, where I had my first lab. I believe ABA is fascinating because it acts as a mobile signal to manage water relations in plants. A benefit of studying plant hormones is the fact that multidisciplinary skills, such as those in chemistry and biology, are required.
- What motivated you to get into plant science?
I studied organic chemistry as an undergraduate student at Nagoya University, Japan. The lab I was part of focused on organic reactions that mimic biological systems. I was fascinated by the elegant organization of metabolic systems in organisms. The diverse metabolites produced by plants attracted me to move into plant biology.
- How have you used (Agrisera) antibodies in your research?
Yes, my PhD student Ben has used Agrisera’s antibodies against AtABA2 that encodes xanthoxin dehydrogenase in ABA biosynthesis.
- Any further comments?
My first interaction with Agrisera was in 2016 when they kindly supported the International Plant Growth Substances Association (IPGSA) meeting in Toronto.
Links
• Prof. Eiji Nambara, Univeristy of Toronto
• Agrisera antibodies to plant hormones