Research Interests

In the Hong laboratory, we take a combination of genetic, biochemical, cell biology and genomic approaches to investigate biochemical reactions and metabolic pathways in plants, and identify genes that regulate plant growth, development and responses to environmental stress. Our research is focused on genetic and biochemical regulation of callose biosynthesis, flower and seed development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. For our experiments, we use model plants including Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress), Oryza sativa (rice) and Lotus japonicus as well as other agriculture-relevant crops, such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare).  We isolate and characterize various plant mutants, discover the biological and biochemical functions of genes and proteins, and study the regulation of metabolic pathways, and cellular and developmental processes in plants.  For more specific information, please visit Research Projects.