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About CEPCEB
This is an exciting time for plant biology. Plants are the basis of all life on Earth, whether as components of natural ecosystems or as domesticated crops used for food, feed and materials. After centuries of study, we are beginning to understand the complex signals and biochemical networks that allow plants to rapidly and exquisitely adapt to diverse environments as vital components of earth's biosphere. The Center for Plant Cell Biology (CEPCEB) focuses on a diverse group of plants and fungi that provide the foundation for all life on earth. Capitalizing on the scientific momentum created by the genome sequencing of two important plants - Arabidopsis and rice - CEPCEB seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of how plants function as whole organisms. The goal of this scientific challenge, involving an interdisciplinary effort by engineers, plant biologists, plant pathologists, chemists, physicists and computer scientists, is to apply the knowledge of how plants respond to their dynamic environment toward manipulation of crop plants safely and efficiently for better and more sustainable production. We are
inspired to transfer our excitement of plant cell biology to a new generation
of scientists who will extend research at our university around the world.
The Center for Plant Cell Biology (CEPCEB) is the nation's first research center devoted exclusively to plant cell biology. As part of the Institute for Integrative Genome Biology at the University of California, Riverside, the Center addresses significant outstanding questions in plant biology by integrating genomic, bioinformatic, cellular, molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches. The Center synergizes UCR's existing strengths in botany and plant sciences, in part by providing an infrastructure that promotes interdisciplinary research and interaction among researchers. The emerging experimental paradigm for addressing biological issues is systems-based research, which uses new approaches in computational biology and engineering to advance knowledge gained at the gene level into an understanding of how organisms function as biological machines. To support this work, CEPCEB has developed technology cores in cutting-edge disciplines: microscopy/imaging, bioinformatics, and proteomics. In addition, CEPCEB has initiated high-throughput methods to identify and characterize bioactive compounds from chemical libraries that will allow precise temporal and spatial manipulation of specific plant processes. These chemical genomics methods will greatly enhance more traditional genetic approaches and provide exciting new avenues for the advancement of knowledge. Thus, CEPCEB's mission is to unite scientists from diverse disciplines to utilize innovative and integrated approaches that will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the function of proteins and other important molecules within living plant cells, within the context of the whole plant. The Center accomplishes this mission by creating teams whose members conduct research using multidisciplinary approaches applied to both model plant systems and important crop plants. Although the Center is nucleated around plant biology, its infrastructure extends into related areas of biological science and other disciplines when appropriate. The interconnection between biology and various disciplines such as applied mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics and chemistry is greatly stimulated as a result of this infrastructure. These connections will open additional exciting new areas for graduate student training.
CEPCEB faculty provide students opportunities for training leading to the Ph.D. degree in a number of graduate programs including: Plant Biology (Department of Botany and Plant Sciences), Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, and Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Science). Research in plant systems biology is possible for a broad spectrum of topics that include:
Plant
Cell Biology/Chemical Genomics (NSF IGERT Program): Plant
Biology, Plant Genetics: Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology:
For additional information:
The Center for Plant Cell Biology (CEPCEB) in association with the Institute for Integrative Genome Biology (IIGB) at the University of California, Riverside is committed to providing rewarding research experiences to undergraduate students. As an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site, CEPCEB brings research experiences to students of two- and four-year colleges who have limited opportunity to learn about the excitement and career options that research in plant cell biology offers. Ten undergraduates will be accepted into the ten-week residential program. The program will begin with a one-week workshop, in which students will be introduced to techniques and approaches used for analysis of plant and plant fungal pathogen cell function, including basic molecular biology, genomic and bioinformatic analyses, and confocal microscopy methods used to study live cells. Students will then spend nine weeks working with a faculty mentor and a graduate or postgraduate mentor on a research project of their choice. Students will also participate in workshops to enhance learning skills and professional development, and to discuss ethics in science. CEPCEB intends to establish a novel year-round education program that will enhance the academic development of low income and minority students. The underlying goals of our educational outreach programs are to encourage completion of four-year degrees by underrepresented students and to present research plant biology as a career option to young biologists for the benefit of future generations.
The Center for Plant Cell Biology (CEPCEB) is currently located on the second and third floors of Batchelor Hall on Eucalyptus Drive. The north end of the building was renovated in Spring 2002 to construct Noel Keen Hall, which houses the UCR Core Instrumentation Facility. A new Genomics Building will be erected by February 2009 on the corner of Eucalyptus and Citrus Drives. Some CEPCEB faculty will relocate to this location.
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