Alison’s research is on starch and sucrose metabolism in the model plant Arabidopsis and in crops including cereals and potatoes.
Alison’s lab investigates the genetic, biochemical and molecular control of starch degradation in leaves and storage organs, and how this is coordinated with plant growth over the day-night cycle and with germination and sprouting.
Lab members also explore how starch granules are formed, and factors that determine the rate, nature and amount of starch accumulation in cereal grains.
Selected Publications
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Schreier T,Fahy B,David LC,Siddiqui H,Castells-Graells R,Smith AM (2021)Introduction of glucan synthase into the cytosol in wheat endosperm causes massive maltose accumulation and represses starch synthesis.The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology (106)Publisher's version: 0960-7412
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Pinocchi C,Ivakov A,Feil R,Trick M,Pike M,Lunn JE,Wang TL,Smith AM (2021)Restriction of cytosolic sucrose hydrolysis profoundly alters development, metabolism, and gene expression in Arabidopsis rootsJournal of Experimental Botany (72)Publisher's version: 0022-0957 (print) 1460-2431 (web)
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Smith A. M., Zeeman S. C. (2020)Starch: A Flexible, Adaptable Carbon Store Coupled to Plant Growth.Annual Review of Plant Biology (71)Publisher's version: 1543-5008