R.J. Neil Emery
Associate Professor
Director, Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program
Research interests:
Plant physiological and molecular development
Physiological ecology
Hormone signaling, water uptake and use, seed development, branching
My research investigates the physiology of organ specific processes
(seed set and filling, branching, root water uptake, leaf stomatal
conductance) and how they interact at the whole-plant level.
Investigations, so far, have involved everything from small herbs to
crops and mature trees. The results have implications for crop
farming practice and the well-being of natural ecosystems.
Teaching
BIOL 3280H: Plant Physiological Ecology
BIOL 2190H: Plants in Action
Selected publications
Held MA, AN Pepper, J Bozdarov, MD Smith, RJN Emery, FC Guinel.
(2008). The pea nodulation mutant R50 (sym16) displays altered
activity and expression profiles for cytokinin dehydrogenase. Journal
Plant Growth Regulation 27: 170-180; doi: 10.1007/s00344-008-9043-x
Götz K-P, N Staroske, R Radchuk, RJN Emery, K-D Wutzke, H Herzog, H
Weber (2007). Uptake and allocation of carbon and nitrogen in Vicia
narbonensis plants with increased seed sink strength achieved by seed-
specific expression of an amino acid permease. Journal of
Experimental Botany 58:3183-3195. doi:10.1093/jxb/erm164
Radchuk R, Radchuk V, Götz K-P, Weichert H, Richter A, Emery RJN,
Weschke W, Weber H. (2007) Ectopic expression of PEP carboxylase in
Vicia narbonensis seeds: effects of improved nutrient status on seed
maturation and transcriptional regulation networks. Plant Journal 51:
819-839. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313X.2007.03196.
Reeves I, RJN Emery. (2007) Seasonal patterns of cytokinins
and microclimate and the mediation of gas exchange among canopy
layers of mature Acer saccharum trees. Tree Physiology 27:1635-1645.
Beaudette PC, M Chlup, J Yee, RJ Neil Emery (2007) Relationships of
root conductivity and aquaporin gene expression in Pisum sativum:
diurnal patterns and the response to HgCl2 and ABA. Journal of
Experimental Botany 58:1291-1300. doi:10.1093/jxb/erl289
Kurepin LV, RJN Emery, RP Pharis, DM Reid (2007) Uncoupling light
quality from light irradiance effects in Helianthus annuus shoots II:
putative roles for leaf-derived gibberellins, auxin, cytokinins,
abscisic acid and ethylene in leaf and internode growth. Journal of
Experimental Botany 58: 2145-2157. doi:10.1093/jxb/erm068
Quesnelle PE, RJN Emery (2007) Cytokinins promote seed
development: cis-cytokinins that occur at high concentrations in
Pisum sativum during early embryogenesis will accelerate embryo
growth in vitro Canadian Journal of Botany 85: 91-103.
Srivastava S, MH Rahman, RJN Emery, NNV Kav (2007) A crucial role
for cytokinins in pea ABR17-mediated enhanced germination and early
seedling growth of Arabidopsis thaliana under saline and low
temperature stresses. Journal Plant Growth Regulation 26: 26-37;
doi: 10.1007/s00344-006-0046-1
Information for prospective students : Current projects are
investigating roles of: (1) cytokinins in seed development of grain
legumes (2) Hormonal control of reproductive effort in natural plant
communities (3) Chemical signaling between microsymbionts, pathogens
and plants. We use whatever techniques are required to get the job
done - usually a mixture of field, physiological, molecular and
genomic approaches. As a member of Trent’s DNA centre (NRDPFC) I have
access to outstanding instrumentation for gene expression and DNA
marker work (i.e. real-time PCR, microarray chip maker & reader,
sequencers etc.) and the latest in mass spectrometry (i.e. LC-MS/MS,
GC-MS/MS) through Trent’s Worsfold Water Quality Centre. If you are
interested in joining my lab, you need curiosity about plant function
and a willingness to learn the techniques.
