Email: rtmullen@uoguelph.ca

Office: SCIE 4470
Ext: 56479
Lab: SCIE 4409-10
Ext: 58852

Education

B.Sc. University of Alberta
Ph.D. University of Alberta
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Arizona State University

Research

My research focuses on various aspects of plant cell biology including:

  • Identification and characterization of a unique class of integral membrane proteins known as "Tail-Anchored" (TA) proteins. Our research is currently aimed at identifying TA proteins using bioinformatic approaches and characterizing these proteins in terms of their localization, targeting signals, and the protein machinery (e.g., receptors) that mediate their membrane insertion and assembly.
  • Understanding various aspects of the biogenesis of peroxisomes, including how membrane proteins are targeted to this organelle, and what role the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves in the formation of peroxisomes. We are also especially interested in understanding how certain viruses "hijack" peroxisomes for their replication in infected plant cells.
  • Characterization of enzymes involved in seed oil biosynthesis. This research is aimed at understanding various aspects of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in producing seed oils and their proper packaging into oil bodies. One of our current goals is to engineer neutral lipid accumulation in vegetative tissues of plants.

My research takes advantage of a wide range of molecular technologies, as well as biochemical and microscopic approaches. We also routinely carry out heterologous expression of plant genes in yeast and mammalian cells as a means to provide insights to different aspects of the processes being examined. One of the long-term goals of this research is to provide the fundamental knowledge about plants needed to apply genetic manipulation/biotechnology successfully.

Selected Publications

Gidda, S.K, J.M. Shockey, M. Falcone, P.K. Kim, S.J. Rothstein, D.W. Andrews, J.M Dyer and R.T. Mullen. 2011. Hydrophobic-domain-dependent protein-protein interactions mediate the localization of GPAT enzymes to ER subdomains. Traffic. In Press.

James, C.N., P.J. Horn, C.C. Richardson, S.K. Gidda, D. Zhang,  R.T. Mullen, J.M. Dyer, R.G.W. Anderson and K.D. Chapman. 2010. Disruption of the Arabidopsis CGI-58 homologue produces Chanarin–Dorfman-like lipodystrophy in plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 107: 17833-17838.

Dhanoa, P.K., L.G. Richardson, M.D. Smith, S.K. Gidda, M.P. Henderson, D.W. Andrews and R.T. Mullen. 2010. Distinct pathways mediate the sorting of tail-anchored proteins to the plastid outer envelope. PLoS ONE 5: 1-18.

Mullen RT and SK Gidda. 2009. The role of peroxisomes in viral replication. In Emergent functions of the peroxisome. Eds. SR Terlecky and VI Titorenko. Research Signpost. Pp. 7-32.

Hwang YT, AW McCartney, SK Gidda, RT Mullen. 2008. Localization of the Carnation Italian Ringspot virus replication protein p36 to the mitochondrial outer membrane is mediated by an internal targeting signal. BMC Plant Biology 9 (54): 1-26

Complete Publication Listing...

Teaching

At the undergraduate level, I am involved in co-teaching Introductory Cell Biology MCB*2210, both in the Fall and Winter semesters.

I also participate in various courses that provide research opportunities for senior undergraduates to join my lab, work in close collaboration with graduate students and/or post-doctoral associates, and undertake a research project on a topic related to plant cell and molecular biology. For more information on these types of research opportunities, please contact me directly.

At the graduate level, I co-teach Structure and Function of Biological Membranes (MCB*6210), a course focusing on biochemical, cellular and molecular aspects of biological membranes.

Post-doctoral Research Associates

Dr. Satinder Gidda
Dr. Naomi Marty

Graduate Students

Dhanoa, Priya (Ph.D.)
Richardson, Lynn (Ph.D.)
Ching, Steven (M.Sc.)
Khuu, Nick (M.Sc.)

Graduate Student Opportunities

A PhD graduate student position is available immediately in my laboratory in the area of plant cell biology. NSERC and/or DOE-funded project areas include: 1) the biogenesis (targeting and membrane association / integration) of tail-anchored proteins; 2) modifications to organelle membranes in virus-infected plant cells; and 3) oil body formation and the engineering of neutral lipid accumulation in vegetative tissues of plants.

Applicants should be independent and self-motivated. Experience with any aspect of cell biology is an asset. This offer is available to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, but other strong candidates are welcome to apply.

For more information about research projects and application requirements please contact Dr. Mullen directly.

Links

Microscopy Imaging Facility
Confocal Microscopy Unit
Electron Microscopy Unit

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