Research Interests
The focus of my investigation is centred on how plant cells integrate chemical and physical signals to drive cellular processes, and how these processes regulate plant growth and morphogenesis. To investigate these questions, I am employing a multidisciplinary approach that combines high-resolution live-cell imaging and molecular genetics with modelling approaches to test hypotheses regarding how cells integrate hormonal responses with mechanical signals to control cell wall functions and cell morphogenesis. The long-term goal is to uncover fundamental mechanisms that govern the dynamics of plant growth and morphogenesis. These mechanisms are targets for research and development in diverse applications from increasing crop yields in changing environments to biomass production.
Key Publications
Rizza A, Walia A, Tang B and Jones AM (2019). Visualizing cellular gibberellin levels using the nlsGPS1 Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensor. The Journal of Visualized Experiments; Jan 12;(143). DOI: 10.3791/58739
Lindeboom JJ, Nakamura M, Saltini M, Hibbel A, Walia A, Ketelaar T, Emons AMC, Sedbrook JC, Kirik V, Mulder BM, and Ehrhardt DW (2019). CLASP stabilization of plus ends created by severing promotes microtubule creation and reorientation. Journal of Cell Biology; 218(1): 190-205. DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201805047
Walia A*, Waadt R*, and Jones AM (2018). Genetically-Encoded Biosensors in Plants: Pathways to Discovery. Annual Review of Plant Biology; 69: 497-524 (* Equal contribution). DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-042817-040104
Rizza A, Walia A, Lanquar V, Frommer WB and Jones AM (2017). In vivo gibberellin gradients visualized in rapidly elongating tissues are stimulated by phytochrome interacting factors in hypocotyls. Nature Plants; 3: 803-813. DOI: 10.1038/s41477-017-0021-9
Walia A, Nakamura M, Moss D, Kirik V, Hashimoto, T and Ehrhardt DW (2014). GCP-WD mediates g-TuRC recruitment and the geometry of microtubule nucleation in the acentrosomal interphase arrays of Arabidopsis. Current Biology; 24: 2548-2555. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.09.013
Walia A, Lee JS, Wasteneys GO and Ellis BE. (2009). Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase MPK18 Mediates Cortical Microtubule Functions in Plant Cells. The Plant Journal; 59: 565-575. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2009.03895.x
Walia A, Guy RD and White JB. (2010). Carbon isotope discrimination in Tsuga heterophylla and its relationship to mineral nutrition and growth. Tree Physiology; 30: 728-740. DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpq020
Samuel MA, Walia A, Mansfield SD and Ellis BE. (2005). Overexpression of SIPK in tobacco enhances ozone-induced ethylene formation and blocks ozone-induced SA accumulation. Journal of Experimental Botany; 56(418): 2195-2201. DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eri219
