Faculty Profile
John Kiss (Faculty Member is Retired, or has otherwise left the University)
Professor of Biology
Phone Number: (662)915-7474
Email: jzkiss@olemiss.edu
http://olemiss.edu/depts/biology/people/faculty/kiss/index.php
Key Words: Plant cell biology; physiology; space biology
Research Description: Plants rely on sophisticated mechanisms to interpret the constant bombardment of incoming signals so they can adjust their growth accordingly. In my laboratory, we are interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of gravitropism and phototropism (directed growth in response to gravity and light, respectively). In the gravitropism project, we have been studying how statoliths (structures that function in graviperception) interact with the cytoskeleton in gravitropic signal transduction. In terms of phototropism, we have been examining the role of the photosensitive pigment phytochrome in the regulation of this tropism in both roots and stems. We have had a series of past spaceflight projects which used microgravity as a tool to understand the mechanisms of tropistic responses. Currently, we have been approved by NASA for several new experiments on the International Space Station to investigate plant tropisms. Our long-term goal is to understand how plants integrate sensory input from multiple light and gravity perception systems. We welcome inquiries from both undergraduates and graduate students who are interested in these topics.
Honors Theses:
Neel, Alison Michelle (2016) The Effects of Red Light on Blue-Light Phototropism in Arabidopsis Thaliana. (full text)
Available Research Projects:
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Of Directed Growth In Response To Gravity And Light
Project Description: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Of Directed Growth In Response To Gravity And Light
Desired Student Qualifications: General biology, advanced biology and plant biology courses are a plus.
Project Timeline: Minimum project is 2 semesters.
Duties of Student Researcher: Plant tissue culture, image analysis, gravitropism and phototropism experiments.
Last Updated on 2014-09-07 17:27:29
Ground-based support for space biology projects.
Project Description: We have flown seven projects on the Space Shuttle and on the International Space Station. Currently one of our experiments on understanding phototropism in plants is scheduled for launch in September 2014 and completion in Fall 2014. We have a variety of lab-based projects that will complement these space studies.
Desired Student Qualifications: General biology, advanced biology and plant biology courses are a plus.
Project Timeline: Minimum project is 2 semesters. Summers are a possibility.
Duties of Student Researcher: Plant tissue culture, image analysis, gravitropism and phototropism experiments. We can train you to use these techniques.
Last Updated on 2014-09-07 17:33:07