Biology and Biotechnology
Luis Vidali
Assistant Professor
Office: Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, 4025
Phone: +1-508-831-4194
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
lvidali@wpi.edu
Educational Background
- B.S., Basic Biomedical Research, UNAM, Mexico
- Ph. D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Postdoc, Harvard Medical School and University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Research & Teaching Interests
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Plants; Cytoskeleton; Plant Physiology
Research
Plants and other photosynthetic organisms are a key component for the generation of clean energy and carbon sequestration. Understanding the basic biology of these systems, such as plant growth, is a critical aspect for the development of a sustainable future.
Plant growth is accomplished by the combined effect of two fundamental cellular activities, cell division and cell expansion. My research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. To achieve this goal, I am using the moss Physcomitrella patens as a model organism. At its early stages, moss plants grow exclusively via tip cell expansion and asymmetric cell divisions. This produces filamentous cells that are highly accessible for live cell microscopy, a keystone of my research. In addition, unique properties of Physcomitrella, such as homologous recombination and transient RNA interference, permit fast analysis of gene function.
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