Kentaro Inoue Laboratory
at 221/222 Asmundson Hall
University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616.
Tel: (530) 754-4177 (lab at 222); (530) 752-7931 (KI office at 221)
We are interested in addressing various biological questions about CHLOROPLASTS and other forms of PLASTIDS, the cellular compartments (organelles) essential and specific to all photosynthetic eukaryotes (plants and various algae) and some non-photosynthetic eukaryotes (e.g., Apicomplexa, a group of protists including malaria parasite). We mainly use biochemical and molecular genetic tools to test specific hypotheses. Answering one question often leads us to formulate new questions. Testing various hypotheses allows us to better understand what “nature is trying to tell us”. More specific descriptions of our research program including the evolution of our research questions will be available shortly.
Inoue lab is curently recruiting a graduate student (Plant Biology or BMCDB program in UC Davis) to study questions about chloroplast biogenesis. If you are interested, feel free to contact Kentaro Inoue.
News in INOUE LAB in 2016
March
•Laura Klasek (PBGG student)’s review entitled “Dual protein localization to the envelope and thylakoid membranes within the chloroplast” in International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology.
January
•Joshua Endow received The Postdoc Poster Award for his presentation entitled: “Protein targeting to the membranes within the chloroplast” at 25th Western Photosynthesis Conference.
Major historical news
2015
• Joshua Endow completed his Ph.D. degree in Plant Biology, remained as postdoc in the lab.
• Lucas McKinnon (PBGG student) received The Poster Award for his presentation entitled: “Keeping the scissors in check: towards defining the mechanism and significance of redox-dependent activity of thylakoidal processing peptidase” at 24th Western Photosynthesis Conference.
2014
• A project (renewal) entitled “Targeting, Maturation and Quality Control of Photosynthetic Membrane proteins” supported by the Basic Energy Sciences Program, US Department of Energy, launched
• Research Topic: Versatile roles of organelle outer membranes in intracellular communication.
2011
• A project (renewal) entitled “Thylakoid Biogenesis – Significance of Protein Maturation and Mechanism of Protein Targeting” supported by the Basic Energy Sciences Program, US Department of Energy, launched.
• Joshua Endow (PBGG student) received recognition at Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis. He was selected as one of four junior investigators based on his poster presentation. See a News Report published in Photosynthesis Research.
• A project entitled “Understanding the function of the evolutionarily conserved essential protein in the chloroplast outer envelope membrane” supported by MCB–Cellular Systems, National Science Foundation, launched.
2010
• Shih-Chi Hsu completed her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, started postdoc research at Cornell University.
2009
• Rebecca Shipman-Roston completed her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, started postdoc research at Michigan State University.
• Rebecca Shipman received The Beverley Green Award based on her oral presentation at 18th Western Photosynthesis Conference.
2008
• A project entitled “Mechanism and Significance of Protein Maturation and Targeting in the Biogenesis of Photosynthetic Compartments” supported by Basic Energy Sciences Program, US Department of Energy, launched.
2006
• A project entitled “Molecular analysis of degreening and regreening in Valencia orange” supported by California Citrus Research Board launched.
2005
• Inoue Lab moved from Wickson hall to Asmundson hall.
2003
• A project entitled “Plastid Biogenesis – Target and assembly of a protein translocation channel and its homologue in the chloroplast outer envelope” supported by the Plant Growth and Development Program, US Department of Agriculture-CSREES, launched.
2002
• Inoue Lab started in Wickson hall.
April 18th, 2016