Tapping Natural Chemical Diversity for New Insights into Fatty Acid Bi…

[2019 Spring Life Sciences & IBB Seminar]

▶Subject: Tapping Natural Chemical Diversity for New Insights into Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

▶Speaker: Prof. EDGAR B. CAHOON  (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

▶Date: 2:00PM/May. 23(Thur.)/2019

▶Place: Auditorium(1F), Postech Biotech Center

​▶Abctract
The biosynthesis of “unusual” fatty acids with structures that deviate from the common C16 and C18 fatty acids has evolved numerous times in the plant kingdom.  Characterization of unusual fatty acid biosynthesis has enabled increased understanding of enzyme substrate properties, metabolic plasticity, and oil functionality. I will describe our recent work on the serendipitous discovery of two C24 fatty acids containing hydroxyl groups at the 7 and 18 carbon atoms as major components of the seed oil of Orychophragmus violaceus, a China-native Brassicaceae.  This discovery enabled the identification of a new pathway for hydroxy fatty acid synthesis termed “discontinuous fatty acid elongation” and insights into the development of environmentally friendly lubricants.  Our findings also unveil the potential of O. violaceus as a new industrial oilseed crop.
*Reference*
Li X, Teitgen AM, Shirani A, Ling J, Busta L, Cahoon RE, Zhang W, Li Z, Chapman KD, Berman D, Zhang C*, Minto RE*, Cahoon EB* (2018) Discontinuous fatty acid elongation yields hydroxylated seed oil with improved function. Nature Plants 4: 711-720.

▶Inquiry: Prof. Youngsook Lee (279-2296)

 * This seminar will be given in English.
  Please refrain from taking photos during seminars. *