Research Leader
Michael Sullivan
Research Leader, Research Molecular Biologist
608-890-0046
1925 Linden Dr. W
Madison, WI 53706
Dr. Sullivan has been Research Leader of the Cell Wall Biology and Utilization Research : USDA ARS since March of 2000. Prior to that, Dr. Sullivan was a Research Molecular Biologist within the Cell Wall Biology and Utilization Research unit since November of 2002. Dr. Sullivan's research specializes in genetic modification of alfalfa to enhance plant protein utilization by dairy cow.
Sullivan, M.L., Fanelli, A. 2024. Use of basta (phosphinothricin) selection for genetic transformation of Regen SY alfalfa. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. https://doi.org/www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2024meeting/45-Sullivan.pdf.
Fanelli, A., Sullivan, M.L. 2024. The role of UDP-D-xylose synthase (UXS) in alfalfa stem cell wall synthesis [abstract]. A target to increase digestibility. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. https://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2024meeting/6-Fanelli.pdf
Erickson, M., Reinhardt, L.A., Svaren, L.M., Sullivan, M.L., Zanton, G.I., Wattiaux, M. 2024. Crude protein oscillation in diets adequate and deficient in metabolizable protein: effects on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, plasma amino acids, and greenhouse gas emissions. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24150.
Fuller, T.D., Bickhart, D.M., Koch, L.M., Kucek, L.K., Ali, S., Mangelson, H., Monteros, M.J., Hernandez, T., Smith, T.P., Riday, H., Sullivan, M.L. 2023. A reference assembly for the legume cover crop hairy vetch (Vicia villosa). GigaByte. https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.98.
Fuller, T.D., Bickhart, D.M., Koch, L.M., Kucek, L.K., Ali, S., Mangelson, H., Monteros, M.J., Hernandez, T., Smith, T.P., Riday, H., Sullivan, M.L. 2023. Supporting data for "A reference assembly for the legume cover crop hairy vetch, Vicia villosa". GigaByte. http://dx.doi.org/10.5524/102446.
Fuller, T.D., Koch, L.M., Kucek, L.K., Ali, S., Haley, M., Hernandez, T., Smith, T.P., Bickhart, D.M., Riday, H., Sullivan, M.L. 2023. A reference assembly for the legume cover crop hairy vetch, Vicia villosa. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.28.534423.
Dinkins, R.D., Hancock, J.A., Bickhart, D.M., Sullivan, M.L., Zhu, H. 2022. Expression and variation of the genes involved in rhizobium nodulation in red clover. Plants. 11(21). Article 2888. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212888.
Sullivan, M.L. 2022. Near-real time determination of BAHD acyl-coenzyme A transferase reaction rates and kinetic parameters using Ellman's reagent. In: Jez, Joseph, editor. Methods in Enzymology. Volume 683. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press. p.19-39.
Sullivan, M.L. 2022. Preparation of hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A thioesters using recombinant 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) for characterization of BAHD hydroxycinnamoyltransferases enzyme activities. In: Jez, Joseph, editor. Methods in Enzymology. Volume 683. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press. p.3-18.
Fanelli, A., Sullivan, M.L. 2022. Bioinformatic tools for protein structure prediction and for molecular docking applied to enzyme active site analysis. In: Jez, Joseph, editor. Methods in Enzymology. Volume 683. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press. p.41-79.
Bickhart, D.M., Koch, L.M., Smith, T.P., Riday, H., Sullivan, M.L. 2022. Chromosome-scale assembly of the highly heterozygous genome of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an allogamous forage crop species. GigaByte. 42:1-13. https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.42.
Bickhart, D.M., Koch, L.M., Smith, T.P., Riday, H., Sullivan, M.L. 2022. Chromosome-scale assembly of the highly heterozygous genome of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an allogamous forage crop species. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.06.475143.
Sullivan, M.L., Knollenberg, B.J. 2021. Red clover HDT, a BAHD hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A:L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine(L-DOPA) hydroxycinnamoyl transferase that synthesizes clovamide and other N-hydroxycinnamoyl-aromatic amino acid amides. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12. Article 727461. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.727461.
Fanelli, A., Rancour, D.M., Sullivan, M.L., Karlen, S.D., Ralph, J., Riano-Pachon, D.M., Vicentini, R., De Frank Silva, T., Ferraz, A.L., Hatfield, R.D., Romanel, E. 2021. Overexpression of a sugarcane BAHD acyltransferase alters hydroxycinnamate content in maize cell wall. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12(549). Article 626168. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.626168.
Santa-Martinez, E., Castro, C.C., Flick, A.J., Sullivan, M.L., Riday, H., Clayton, M.K., Brunet, J. 2021. Bee species visiting Medicago sativa differ in pollen deposition curves with consequences for gene flow. American Journal of Botany. 108(6):1016-1028. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1683.
Sullivan, M.L., Green, H.A., Verdonk, J.C. 2021. Engineering alfalfa to produce 2-O-caffeoyl-L-malate (phaselic acid) for preventing post-harvest protein loss via oxidation by polyphenol oxidase. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11. Article 610399. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.610399.
Zeller, W.E., Reinhardt, L.A., Robe, J.T., Sullivan, M.L., Panke-Buisse, K. 2020. Comparison of protein precipitation ability of structurally diverse procyanidin-rich condensed tannins in two buffer systems. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 68(7):2016-2023. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b06173.
Riday, H., Kucek, L.K., Douglas, J.L., Carr, B., Young-Mathews, A., Bhamidimarri, S., Hayes, R.J., Azevedo, M.D., Trammell, M., Monteros, M., Mirsky, S.B., Wiering, N.P., Bickhart, D.M., Sullivan, M.L., Ehlke, N., Englert, J.S. 2019. Breeding for soft seeded non shattering hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.). National Association of Plant Breeders. 25 to 29 August 2019.
Bouchez, P., Benites, V.T., Baidoo, E.E., Mortimer, J.C., Sullivan, M.L., Scheller, H.V., Eudes, A. 2019. Production of clovamide and its analogs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactococcus lactis. Letters in Applied Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13190.
Naumann, H., Sepela, R., Rezaire, A., Masih, S.E., Zeller, W.E., Reinhardt, L.A., Robe, J.T., Sullivan, M.L., Hagerman, A.E. 2018. Relationships between structures of condensed tannins from Texas legumes and methane production during in vitro rumen digestion. Molecules. 2018, 23, 2123. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092123.
Sullivan, M.L., Bonawitz, N.D. 2018. Spectrophotometric determination of reaction rates and kinetic parameters of a BAHD acyltransferase using DTNB (5,5'-dithio-bis-[2-nitrobenzoic acid]). Plant Science. 269:148-152. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.01.012
Grabber, J.H., Yost, M.A., Coulter, J.A., Sullivan, M.L. 2017. Sorghum-sudangrass responses to nitrogen and tillage following polyphenol-containing legumes, alfalfa, reed canarygrass, and kale. Agronomy Journal. 109:2050-2062.
Sullivan, M.L. 2015. Engineering alfalfa to accumulate useful caffeic acid derivatives and characterization of hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA transferases from legumes [abstract]. Phytochemical Society of North America. Paper No. S4-8.
Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2015. Redesigning alfalfa to reduce protein losses. Progressive Forage Grower. 16(6):40.
Zeller, W.E., Sullivan, M.L., Mueller-Harvey, I., Grabber, J.H., Ramsay, A., Drake, C., Brown, R.H. 2015. Impact by condensed tannins with different mean degrees of polymerization on protein precipitation [abstract]. 249th American Chemical Society Meeting, March 22-26, 2015, Denver, Colorado. Abstract No. AGFD 51.
Sullivan, M.L. 2015. Beyond brown: polyphenol oxidases as enzymes of plant specialized metabolism. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00783.
Webb, K.J., Cookson, A., Allison, G., Sullivan, M.L., Winters, A.L. 2014. Polyphenol oxidase affects normal nodule development in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Frontiers in Plant Science. 5:700. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00700.
Zeller, W.E., Sullivan, M.L., Mueller-Harvey, I., Grabber, J.H., Ramsay, A., Drake, C., Brown, R.H. 2015. Protein precipitation behavior of condensed tannins from Lotus pedunculatus and Trifolium repens with different mean degrees of polymerization. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 63:1160-1168.
Sullivan, M.L. 2014. Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) leaves contain hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:tartaric acid hydroxycinnamoyl transferase activity and accumulate hydroxycinnamoyl-tartaric acid esters. Planta. 239:1091-1100.
Sullivan, M.L., Quesenberry, K.H. 2014. Clover, Red (Trifolium pretense). In: Wang, K., editor. Agrobacterium Protocols. 3rd edition. New York, NY:Springer Science+Business Media. p. 237-254.
Webb, K.J., Cookson, A., Allison, G., Sullivan, M.L., Winters, A.L. 2013. Gene expression patterns, localization, and substrates of polyphenol oxidase in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 61(31):7421-7430.
Sullivan, M.L., Green, H.A. 2013. Biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamoyl esters and amides in legume species [abstract]. Gordon Research Conference on Plant Metabolic Engineering, July 7-12, 2013, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Sullivan, M.L., Foster, J.L. 2013. Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) contains polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and PPO substrates that can reduce post-harvest proteolysis. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 93(10):2421-2428.
Verdonk, J.C., Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2012. Proteomic analysis of cell walls of two developmental stages of alfalfa stems. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2012.00279.
Verdonk, J.C., Sullivan, M.L. 2013. Artificial micro RNA (amiRNA) induced gene silencing in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Botany. 91:117-122.
Sullivan, M.L., Zeller, W.E. 2012. Efficacy of various naturally occurring caffeic acid derivatives in preventing post-harvest protein losses in forages. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 93:219-226.
Lee, M.R., Tweed, J.K., Sullivan, M.L. 2013. Oxidation of ortho-diphenols in red clover with and without polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and their role in PPO activation and inactivation. Grass and Forage Science. 68(1):83-92.
Sullivan, M.L., Zarnowski, R. 2011. Red clover HCT2, a hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A:malate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, plays a crucial role in biosynthesis of phaselic acid and other hydroxycinnamoyl-malate esters in vivo. Plant Physiology. 155:1060-1067.
Sullivan, M.L. 2010. Molecular Biology Approaches to Solve Forage Crop Limitations: Improving Protein Utilization and Preventing Leaf Loss in Alfalfa [abstract]. Gordon Research Conference on Plant Molecular Biology, July 18-23, 2010, Holderness, New Hampshire.
Lee, M.R., Tweed, J.K., Cookson, A., Sullivan, M.L. 2010. Immunogold Labelling to Localize Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) During Wilting of Red Clover Leaf Tissue and the Effect of Removing Cellular Matrices on PPO Protection of Glycerol-Based Lipid in the Rumen. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 90(3):503-510.
Sullivan, M.L., Zarnowski, R. 2010. Red Clover Coumarate 3'-Hydroxylase (CYP98A44) is Capable of Hydroxylating P-Coumaroyl-Shikimate but not P-Coumaroyl-Malate: Implications for the Biosynthesis of Phaselic Acid. Planta. 231(2):319-328.
Sullivan, M.L. 2010. Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:Malate Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase is Crucial for 2-O-Caffeoyl-L-Malate Biosynthesis in Red Clover and Defines a New Pathway for Hydroxycinnamoyl-Malate Ester Biosynthesis [abstract]. Gordon Research Conference on Plant Metabolic Engineering, July 12-17, 2009, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Sullivan, M.L. 2009. A Novel Red Clover Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase Has Enzymatic Activities Consistent With a Role in Phaselic Acid Biosynthesis. Plant Physiology. 150:1866-1879.
Sullivan, M.L. 2009. Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) Genes in Red Clover: Expression in Whole Plants and in Response to Yeast Fungal Elicitor. Biologia Plantarum. 53(2):301-306.
Lee, M.R., Tweed, J.K., Scollan, N.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2008. Ruminal Micro-Organisms do not Adapt to Increase Utilization of Poly-Phenol Oxidase Protected Red Clover Protein and Glycerol-Based Lipid. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 88(14):2479-2485.
Sullivan, M.L. 2008. Multiple hydroxycinnamoyl transferases from red clover differ in sequence, expression pattern, and enzymatic activity [abstract]. 41st North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference and 20th Trifolium Conference, June 1-4, 2008, Irving, Texas. Available: http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2008meeting/proceedings/Sullivan.pdf
Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D. 2008. A novel red clover hydroxycinnamoyl transferase has enzymatic activities consistent with a role in phasalic acid [2-o-(caffeoyl)-l-malate] biosynthesis [abstract]. Gordon Research Conference on Plant Molecular Biology, July 13-18, 2008, Holderness, New Hampshire.
Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L., Schmitz, G. 2008. Characteristics of polyphenol oxidases [abstract]. The 2008 Joint Meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists and the Sociedad Mexicana de Bioquimica Rama: Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular de Plantas, June 26-July 1, 2008, Merida, Mexico. Abstract P04010. p. 103.
Winters, A.L., Gill, S., Heywood, S., Parveen, I., Sullivan, M.L., Webb, K.J. 2008. Role of red clover PPO in pathogen resistance [abstract]. XXIVth International Conference on Polyphenols, July 8-11, 2008, Salamanca, Spain. Abstract No. T3.28.
Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D., Samac, D.A. 2008. Cloning of an alfalfa polyphenol oxidase gene and evaluation of its potential in preventing postharvest protein degradation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 88(8):1406-1414.
Lee, M.R., Tweed, J.K., Scollan, N.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2008. Mechanism of polyphenol oxidase action in reducing lipolysis and proteolysis in red clover during batch culture incubation. In: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, March 31-April 2, 2008, Scarborough, United Kingdom. p. 31.
Lee, M.R., Tweed, J.K., Scollan, N.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2008. Rumen microbe adaptation to red clover polyphenol oxidase protein and lipid protection. In: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, March 31-April 2, 2008, Scarborough, United Kingdom. p. 30.
Schmitz, G.E., Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D. 2008. Three polyphenol oxidases from red clover (Trifolium pratense) differ in enzymatic activities and activation properties. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 56(1):272-280.
Schmitz, G.E., Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2007. Characteristics of polyphenol oxidases from red clover (Trifolium pratense)[abstract]. In: Program and Abstract Book of the Plant Biology and Botany 2007 Joint Congress, July 8-11, 2007, Chicago, Illinois. p. 23.
Lee, M.R., Minchin, F.R., Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L. 2007. Red clover polyphenol oxidase reduces ruminal lipolysis in in vitro batch culture. In: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science. April 2-4, 2007, Southport, United Kingdom. p. 25.
Sullivan, M.L. 2007. Identification and characterization of hydroxycinnamoyl transferases involved in o-diphenol biosynthesis in red clover [abstract]. In: Program and Abstract Book of the Plant Biology and Botany 2007 Joint Congress, July 8-11, 2007, Chicago, Illinois. p. 128.
Hatfield, R.D., Grabber, J.H., Sullivan, M.L., Waghorn, G., Mccaslin, M. 2006. Transforming Forage Plants to Increase Nitrogen Utilization in Dairy Systems: What Are the Possibilities? Journal of Dairy Science. 89(supplement 1):633.
Sullivan, M.L. 2006. Optimizing efficiency and flexibility of agrobacterium-mediated transformation of red clover (Trifolium pratense). In: Proceeding of the 40th North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference and 19th Trifolium Conference, July 16-19, 2006, Bloomington, MN. Available: http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2006meeting/procedings/Sullivan(poster).PDF
Sullivan, M.L. 2006. Cloning of HCT and C3H genes from red clover and characterization of the encoded enzymes. In: Proceeding of the 40th North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference and 19th Trifolium Conference, July 16-19, 2006, Bloomington, MN. Available: http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2006meeting/procedings/Sullivan.PDF
Sullivan, M.L., Thoma, S.L. 2006. Cloning, molecular characterization, and expression analysis of red clover cDNAs. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 86(2):465-468.
Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D. 2006. Polyphenol oxidase and o-diphenols inhibit post-harvest proteolysis in red clover and alfalfa. Crop Science. 46:662-670.
Sullivan, M.L. 2005. Cloning and characterization of genes involved in o-diphenol biosynthesis in red clover. Gordon Research Conference on Plant Metabolic Engineering, July 10-15, 2005, Tilton School, Tilton, NH.
Sullivan, M.L. 2005. Cloning and characterization of genes involved in o-diphenol biosynthesis in red clover [abstract]. Plant Biology 2005. p. 212.
Sullivan, M.L., Quesenberry, K.H. 2006. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense). In: Wang, K. (editor). Methods in Molecular Biology: Agrobacterium Protocols. 2nd edition. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. Vol. 343, p. 369-384.
Hatfield, R.D., Sullivan, M.L. Muck, R.E. 2005. Using the red clover polyphenol oxidase gene to inhibit proteolytic activity in alfalfa. In: Park, R.S., Stronge, M.D., editors. Silage Production and Utilization. XIVth International Silage Conference, a Satellite Workshop of the XXth International Grassland Congress, July 2005, Belfast, Northern Ireland. p. 212.
Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D., Thoma, S., Samac, D.A. 2004. Cloning of red clover polyphenol oxidase cdnas and expression of active protein in escherichia coli and transgenic alfalfa. Plant Physiology. 136:3234-3244.
Sullivan, M.L., Rierson, S. Post-transcriptional silencing of polyphenol oxidase gene expression in red clover. [abstract]. 2004. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. Paper No. 43.
Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D., Muck, R.E. Polyphenol oxidase and o-diphenols inhibit post-harvest proteolysis in red clover and alfalfa. 2004. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. Available: www.naaic.org/meeting/National/2004NAAIC8TC/2004abstracts/msullivan.pdf.
Grabber, J.H., Broderick, G.A., Sullivan, M.L., Hatfield, R.D., Powell, J.M., Rotz, C.A., Muck, R.E., Ehlke, N.J. 2004. Protein-binding polyphenols enhance nitrogen cycling and profitability of dairy farms. In: 228th ACS National Meeting, August 22-26, 2004, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2004 CDROM.
Lidder, P., Johnson, M.A., Sullivan, M.L., Thompson, D.M., Perez- Amador, M.A., Howard, C.J., Green, P.J. 2004. Genetics of the DST- mediated mRNA decay pathway using a transgene based selection. Biochemical Society Transactions. 32:575-577.
Sullivan, M.L., Thoma, S., Samac, D.A., Hatfield, R.D. 2004. Cloning of red clover and alfalfa polyphenol oxidase genes and expression of active enzymes in transgenic alfalfa. In: Hopkins, A., Wang, Z-Y., Mian, R., Sledge, M., Barker, R.W. editors. Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. p. 189-195.
SULLIVAN,M.L., EVANS,M., THOMA,S., HATFIELD,R.D., ALFALFA POLYPHENOL OXIDASE IS EXPRESSED IN FLOWERS AND DEVELOPING SEEDS, MEETING ABSTRACT, 2003.
Sullivan, M.L., Thoma, S., Samac, D., Hatfield, R.D. Cloning of red clover and alfalfa polyphenol oxidase genes and expression of active enzymes in transgenic alfalfa. Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf Conference. 2003. p. 189-195
Schwartz, M., Chen, J., Janda, M. Sullivan, M.L., Ahlquist, P.G. 2002. A positive-strand RNA virus replication complex parallels form and function of retrovirus capsids. Molecular Cell. 9:505-514.
Feldbrugge, M., Arizti, P., Sullivan M.L., Zamore, P.D., Belasco, J.G., Green, P.G. 2002. Comparative analysis of the plant mRNA- destabilizing element, DST, in mammalian and tobacco cells. Plant Molecular Biology. 49:215-233.
Identifying and Developing Strategies to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency in Dairy Forage Production Systems In-House Appropriated (D) Accession Number:445642 Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBC) Agreement - University of Wisconsin Madison Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement (N) Accession Number:441643 Enabling Tools for Microbiome-based Trait Selection in Dairy Cows Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R) Accession Number:443922 Forage Applications for Hairy Vetch and Cereal Rye Research Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S) Accession Number:446757
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