Past Event! Note: this event has already taken place.
The McCully Plant Biology Lecture 2025
April 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
| Location: | 4440Q Carleton Technology and Training Centre |
| Cost: | Free |
Title: Exploring the biology and biotechnology of lignin
About the Speaker
Dr. Yaseen Mottiar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa. He received his PhD from the University of British Columbia where he worked with Professor Shawn Mansfield to study lignin biosynthesis in poplar. Following his time in Vancouver, Yaseen moved to Finland where he worked as a University Researcher at the University of Helsinki. He moved back to Canada in 2024 to start his own research programme at the University of Ottawa. Yaseen studies lignin from both basic science and applied viewpoints, using a variety of molecular biology, bioimaging, and analytical chemistry tools. His work aims to elucidate the mechanisms driving cell wall formation and lignification in diverse taxa, and to use these insights to improve the performance of plants in industry and agriculture.
Abstract
Cell walls underpin every aspect of plant form and function. In vascular plants, many cell walls contain a phenolic polymer known as lignin, which facilitates water conduction and provides structural support to help plants stand upright. Lignin also occurs in other contexts where it fulfills specialised roles including defence against pests and pathogens, uptake of water in roots, and dehiscence of seed pods. It is also exceptionally important in industry, particularly in forestry since lignin represents 20–35% of woody biomass. While lignin has vital biological functions in plants, it is also amenable to modifications using breeding or biotechnology. In this lecture, we will see how lessons in lignin biology can improve our fundamental understanding of plant development and physiology. At the same time, we will explore how these insights can inform the genetic improvements of plants for industrial applications and food production alike.