Name: David G. Oppenheimer
Born: Illinois,
USA
Position
at UF (with college affiliation): Associate Professor, Department of
Botany, CLAS
Job
before this one: Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Alabama
Current
research interest, in layman’s terms: We are currently involved in two
different aspects of plant development. The first is trying to understand how
plant cell shape is important. Our model of choice is the trichome
(plant hair) on the leaves of Arabidopsis plants.
We are taking a combined genetic and molecular approach by isolating mutants
that affect the shape of the trichomes, and isolating
the genes that are identified by the mutations. Once the genes are in hand, we
use a variety of cell biological and biochemical tools to determine the
functions of the proteins they encode. We have recently isolated several novel
genes that control aspects of cytoskeleton
organization. Our second project involves the evolution of the angiosperm
flower. Our group is part of a larger consortium that is taking a comparative genomics approach to flower evolution.
Prior
Research: I
have also worked on plant tubulin genes, and a myb transcription factor that controls cell fate in plants.
Education:
PhD
(1987) and BS (1982) from the University of Minnesota
Family:
Married
to the adorable Paris H. Grey
When
I'm not at work, I am: Traveling in the UK or Europe or thinking about traveling
in the UK or Europe
The
best thing that I've done lately that no one knows about: Made a
donation to my favorite charity
Last
non-work related book: “The Island of the Day Before” by
Umberto Eco, and “Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix” by J. K. Rowling
Last
movie in a theater and your thoughts: “Lord of the Rings, Return of the
King” (it needed more battle scenes)
Something
always in your refrigerator: At least six kinds of mustard, and
German beer (Hefe weizen)
People would be surprised to know that: I have pet
rabbits.
Contact me at: doppen@botany.ufl.edu