Research Project: Genetic Improvement of Sorghum for Bioenergy, Feed, and Food Uses

Location: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Responses of wheat constitutively expressing monolignol biosynthetic genes to fusarium head blight caused by fusarium graminearum - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Dill-Macky, R., Wegulo, S.N., Duray, Z.T., Oneill, P.M., Gries, T.L., Masterson, S.D., Graybosch, R.A., Mitchell, R. 2024. Responses of wheat constitutively expressing monolignol biosynthetic genes to fusarium head blight caused by fusarium graminearum. Presented at Plant Health 2024, Memphis, TN. P-274.

Temporal transcriptomic profiling elucidates sorghum defense mechanisms against sugarcane aphids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puri, H., Grover, S., Pingault, L., Sattler, S.E., Louis, J. 2023. Temporal transcriptomic profiling elucidates sorghum defense mechanisms against sugarcane aphids. BMC Genomics. 24:441. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-023-09529-5.

Phenylpropanoids following wounding and infection of sweet sorghum lines differing in responses to stalk pathogens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Khasin, M., Bernhardson, L.F., O'Neill, P.M., Palmer, N.A., Scully, E.D., Sattler, S.E., Sarath, G., Funnell-Harris, D.L. 2024. Phenylpropanoids following wounding and infection of sweet sorghum lines differing in responses to stalk pathogens. Phytopathology. 114:177-192. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-12-22-0459-R.

Effects of altering three steps of monolignol biosynthesis on sorghum responses to stalk pathogens and water deficit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., O'Neill, P.M., Gries, T.L., Ge, Z., Nersesian, N. 2023. Effects of altering three steps of monolignol biosynthesis on sorghum responses to stalk pathogens and water deficit. Plant Disease. 107:3984-3995. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-22-1959-RE.

Effects of altering three steps of monolignol biosynthesis on sorghum responses to stalk pathogens and water deficit - (Abstract Only)

Constitutively expressing the sorghum phenylpropanoid pathway gene SbCCoAOMT can improve resistance to fusarium head blight of wheat - (Abstract Only)

Elucidating the mechanism behind increased type-II resistance to fusarium head blight and reduced deoxynivalenol accumulation in wheat lines onstitutively expressing the sorghum phenylpropanoid pathway gene, SbCCoAOMT - (Abstract Only)

The brown midrib (bmr) mutants prevent stalk rots under drought conditions and improve sorghum biomass quality - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Toy, J.J., Oneill, P.M., Khasin, M. 2023. The brown midrib (bmr) mutants prevent stalk rots under drought conditions and improve sorghum biomass quality. Presented at: Sorghum in the 21st Century, Global Sorghum Conference, Montpelier, France, June 5 – 9, 2023. Meeting Abstract Book. p. 142.

The waxy mutation in sorghum and other cereal grains reshapes the gut microbiome by reducing levels of multiple beneficial species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Q., Vah Haute, M., Korth, N., Sattler, S.E., Rose, D., Price, J., Beede, K., Ramer-Tait, A.E., Toy, J.J. 2023. The waxy mutation in sorghum and other cereal grains reshapes the gut microbiome by reducing levels of multiple beneficial species. Gut Microbes. 15(1):2178799. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2023.2178799.

Response of sorghum lines carrying recently identified brown midrib (bmr) mutations to stalk rot pathogens and water deficit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Toy, J.J., Oneill, P.M., Bernhardson, L.F. 2023. Response of sorghum lines carrying recently identified brown midrib (bmr) mutations to stalk rot pathogens and water deficit. Plant Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13702.

A sorghum ascorbate peroxidase with four binding sites has activity against ascorbate and phenylpropanoids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, B., Vermerris, W., Sattler, S.E., Kang, C. 2023. A sorghum ascorbate peroxidase with four binding sites has activity against ascorbate and phenylpropanoids. Nature Communications. 192(1):102-118. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiac604.

Constitutive expression of SbCCoAOMT in the phenylpropanoid pathway can improve resistance to fusarium head blight of wheat - (Abstract Only)
Singla, S., Palmer, N.A., Bernhardson, L., Oneill, P.M., Gries, T.L., Duray, Z., Dill-Macky, R., Sattler, S.E., Wegulo, S., Funnell-Harris, D.L. 2022. Constitutive expression of SbCCoAOMT in the phenylpropanoid pathway can improve resistance to fusarium head blight of wheat. Presented at 2022 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum, Tampa, FL, Dec. 4 – 6, 2022. p. 59 of Proceedings (https://scabusa.org/forum/2022/2022NFHBForumProceedings.pdf)

Phenylpropanoid-based resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat - (Abstract Only)
Singla, S., Duray, Z., Dill-Macky, R., O’Neill, P., Bernhardson, L., Tatineni, S., Sattler, S., Wegulo, S. and Funnell-Harris, D. (2021) Phenylpropanoid based Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat. Proceedings of the 2021 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum; Virtual. December 6-7, 2021. Retrieved from: https://scabusa.org/forum/2021/2021NFHBForumProceedings.pdf.

The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Brown midrib 30 (Bmr30) gene encodes a chalcone isomerase required for cell wall lignification - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tetreault, H.M., Gries, T.L., Liu, S., Toy, J.J., Xin, Z., Vermerris, W., Ralph, J., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E. 2021. The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Brown midrib 30 (Bmr30) gene encodes a chalcone isomerase required for cell wall lignification. Frontiers in Plant Biology. 12:1-18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.732307.

Genetic analysis of seed traits in Sorghum bicolor that affect the human gut microbiome - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Q., Van Haute, M., Korth, N., Sattler, S.E., Toy, J.J., Schnable, J.C., Benson, A.K. 2022. Genetic analysis of seed traits in Sorghum bicolor that affect the human gut microbiome. Nature Communications. 13:5641. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33419-1.

Wound and defense induced cell wall phenylpropanoids in sweet sorghums with differing responses to stalk pathogens - (Abstract Only)

Role of phenylpropanoid pathway genes in conferring resistance to Fusarium head blight of wheat - (Abstract Only)

Reprogramming of sorghum proteome in response to sugarcane aphid infestation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grover, S., Betancurt Cardona, J., Zogli, P., Alvarez, S., Naldrett, M., Sattler, S.E., Louis, J. 2022. Reprogramming of sorghum proteome in response to sugarcane aphid infestation. Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111289.

Dichotomous Role of Jasmonic Acid in Modulating Sorghum Defense Against Aphids - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grover, S., Puri, H., Xin, Z., Sattler, S.E., Louis, J. 2022. Genetic analysis of seed traits in Sorghum bicolor that affect the human gut microbiome. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. 35(9):755-767. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-22-0005-R.

Characterization of three cytochrome P450 reductases from sorghum bicolor - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, B., Ralph, J., Davydov, D.R., Vermerris, W., Sattler, S.E., Kang, C. 2022. Characterization of three cytochrome P450 reductases from sorghum bicolor. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 298(4):1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101761.

Association of dhurrin levels and post-flowering non-senescence with resistance to stalk rot pathogens in sorghum bicolor - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Oneill, P.M., Toy, J.J., Bernhardson, L.F., Kilts, M., Khasin, M. 2022. Association of dhurrin levels and post-flowering non-senescence with resistance to stalk rot pathogens in sorghum bicolor. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 163:237-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02473-2.

Pathogen and drought stress affect cell wall and phytohormone signaling to shape host responses in a sorghum COMT bmr12 mutant - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Khasin, M., Bernhardson, L.F., O'Neill, P.M., Palmer, N.A., Scully, E.D., Sattler, S.E., Funnell-Harris, D.L. 2021. Pathogen and drought stress affect cell wall and phytohormone signaling to shape host responses in a sorghum COMT bmr12 mutant. Biomed Central (BMC) Plant Biology. 21:391. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03149-5.

Sorghum brown midrib19 (Bmr19) gene links lignin biosynthesis to folate metabolism - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Adeyanju, A.O., Sattler, S.E., Rich, P.J., Rivera-Burgos, L.A., Xu, X., Ejeta, G. 2021. Sorghum brown midrib19 (Bmr19) gene links lignin biosynthesis to folate metabolism. Genes. 12(5):660. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12050660.

Field evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) lines that overexpress two monolignol-related genes that alter cell wall composition - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tetreault, H.M., Oneill, P.M., Toy, J.J., Gries, T.L., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E. 2020. Field evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) lines that overexpress two monolignol-related genes that alter cell wall composition. BioEnergy Research. 13(4)Available:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12155-020-10218-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10218-4.

Loss of COMT activity reduces lateral root formation and alters drought response in sorghum brown midrib (bmr) 12 mutant - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Saluja, M., Zhu, F., Yu, H., Walla, H., Sattler, S.E. 2021. Loss of COMT activity reduces lateral root formation and alters drought response in sorghum brown midrib (bmr) 12 mutant. New Phytologist. 229:2780-2794. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17051.

Modifying cell wall phenylpropanoids of small grains for increased usability and disease and drought resistance - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Khasin, M., Wegulo, S. 2020. Modifying cell wall phenylpropanoids of small grains for increased usability and disease and drought resistance.[Abstract]. Complex Biosystems Seminar Series, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Sept. 3, 2020.

Effects of fungicide chemical class, fungicide application timing, and environment on Fusarium head blight in winter wheat - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolanos-Carriel, C., Baenziger, S.P., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Hallen-Adams, H., Eskridge, K.M., Wegulo, S.N. 2020. Effects of cultivar resistance, fungicide chemical class, and fungicide application timing on Fusarium head blight in winter wheat. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 158:667-679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-020-02109-3.

Association of post-flowering non-senescence (stay-green) and dhurrin levels in response to stalk rot pathogens in sorghum bicolor - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Oneill, P.M., Bernhardson, L.F., Kilts, M., Khasin, M. 2020. Association of post-flowering non-senescence (stay-green) and dhurrin levels in response to stalk rot pathogens in sorghum bicolor. [abstract]. Plant Health 2020 (virtual). Accepted poster.

Structure and function of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cinnamate 4-hydroxylase from sorghum bicolor1 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, B., Lewis, K.M., Abril, A., Davydov, D.R., Vermerris, W., Sattler, S.E., Kang, C. 2020. Structure and function of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cinnamate 4-hydroxylase from sorghum bicolor1. Plant Physiology. 183:957-973. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.20.00406.

Overexpression of ferulate 5-hydroxylase increases syringyl units in Sorghum bicolor - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tetreault, H.M., Gries, T.L., Palmer, N.A., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sarath, G., Sattler, S.E., Sato, S., Ge, Z. 2020. Overexpression of ferulate 5-hydroxylase increases syringyl units in Sorghum bicolor. Plant Molecular Biology. 103(3):269-285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-020-00991-3.

Tri5 gene expression analysis during postharvest storage of wheat grain from field plots treated with a triazole and a strobilurin fungicide - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolanos-Carriel, C., Wegulo, S.N., Baenziger, S.P., Eskridge, K.M., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Mcmaster, N., Schmale III, D.G., Hallen-Adams, H.E. 2020. Tri5 gene expression analysis during postharvest storage of wheat grain from field plots treated with a triazole and a strobilurin fungicide. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 42(4):547-559. https://doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2019.1700169.

Response of wheat constitutively expressing monolignol biosynthesis genes to fusarium head blight - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Duray, Z., Sattler, S.E., Wegulo, S.N., Dill-Macky, R., Tatineni, S. 2019. Response of wheat constitutively expressing monolignol biosynthesis genes to fusarium head blight. In: Canty, S., A. Hoffstetter, B. Wiermer and R. Dill-Macky (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2019 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum (p. 48). East Lansing, MI/Lexington, KY: U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative.

Testing transgenic spring wheat and barley lines for reaction to fusarium head blight: 2019 field nursery report - (Abstract Only)
Dill-Macky, R., Curland, R. D., Beheshteh, Z., Muehlbauer, G. J., Bethke, G., Funnell-Harris, D., Shah, J., McLaughlin, J. and Tumer, N. 2019. Testing transgenic spring wheat and barley lines for reaction to Fusarium head blight: 2019 field nursery report. In: Canty, S., A. Hoffstetter, B. Wiermer and R. Dill-Macky (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2019 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum (p. 46). East Lansing, MI/Lexington, KY: U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative.

Effects of field-applied fungicides, grain moisture, and time on deoxynivalenol during postharvest storage of winter wheat grain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolanos-Carriel, C., Wegulo, S.N., Hallen-Adams, H., Baenziger, P.S., Eskridge, K.M., Funnell-Harris, D.L. 2020. Effects of field-applied fungicides, grain moisture, and time on deoxynivalenol during postharvest storage of winter wheat grain. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 100(3):304-313. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2019-0075.

Responses of sorghum and wheat modified in phenylpropanoid metabolism to fungal pathogens - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Khasin, M., Wegulo, S. 2019. Responses of sorghum and wheat modified in phenylpropanoid metabolism to fungal pathogens. Crop Health Conference Proceedings. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, July 12, 2019

Response of sorghum enhanced in monolignol biosynthesis to stalk pathogens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., O'Neill, P.M., Gries, T.L., Tetreault, H.M., Clemente, T.E. 2019. Response of sorghum enhanced in monolignol biosynthesis to stalk pathogens. Plant Disease. 103(9):2277-2287. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-18-1622-RE.

Resistance to stalk pathogens for bioenergy sorghum - (Abstract Only)
Funnell-Harris, D.L., Khasin, M., Sattler, S.E. 2019. Resistance to stalk pathogens for bioenergy sorghum [abstract]. Genomic Sciences Program Annual Principal Investigator (PI) Meeting.

Resistance to greenbugs in the sorghum nested association mapping population - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grover, S., Wojahn, B., Varsani, S., Sattler, S.E., Louis, J. 2019. Resistance to greenbugs in the sorghum nested association mapping population. Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 13(2):261-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-019-09679-y.

Global responses of resistant and susceptible sorghum (sorghum bicolor) to sugarcane aphid (melanaphis sacchari) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tetreault, H.M., Sajjan, G., Scully, E.D., Gries, T.L., Sattler, S.E., Palmer, N.A., Sarath, G., Louis, J. 2019. Global responses of resistant and susceptible sorghum (sorghum bicolor) to sugarcane aphid (melanaphis sacchari). Frontiers in Plant Science. 10:145.Available: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00145.

Response of wheat constitutively expressing lignin genes to fusarium head blight - (Abstract Only)
Duray, Z.T., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Graybosch, R.A., Sattler, S.E., Wegulo, S.N., Clemente, T.E. 2018. Response of wheat constitutively expressing lignin genes to fusarium head blight. National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings. p.70

Testing transgenic spring wheat and barley lines for reaction to fusarium head blight: 2018 field nursery report. - (Abstract Only)
Dill-Mackey, R., Ellakad, A.M., Zargaran, B., Muehlbauer, G.J., Bethke, G., Mclaughlin, J., Tumer, N., Funnell-Harris, D.L. 2018. Testing transgenic spring wheat and barley lines for reaction to fusarium head blight: 2018 field nursery report.. National Fusarium Head Blight Forum Proceedings. p.70

Tri5 gene expression analysis and postharvest accumulation of deoxynivalenol during storage of hard red winter wheat - (Abstract Only)
Bolanos-Carriel, C., Hallen-Adams, H., Wegulo, S.N., Baenziger, S.P., Eskridge, K.M., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Mcmaster, N., Schmale, D. 2018. Tri5 gene expression analysis and postharvest accumulation of deoxynivalenol during storage of hard red winter wheat. American Phytopathological Society Abstracts. [asbstract].In:Proceedings of 2018 American Phytopathological Society North Central Division Meeting, June 12-14, 2018 Fargo ND.