User:Norman B Best
Contact Info
- Norman B. Best
- USDA-ARS Research Geneticist
- Columbia, MO, USA
- norman.best@usda.gov
My research predominantly focuses on hormonal control of maize architecture.
Education and Work Experience
- 2020-Present, Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS
- 2017-2020, Post-Doc, University of Missouri
- 2011-2017, PhD, Purdue University
- 2011, BS, Purdue University
Research interests
My research interests include:
-hormonal regulation and response to control plant architecture
-hormone cross-talk
-forward and reverse genetics
-next-generation sequencing technologies
-bioinformatics
USDA-NIFA postdoctoral Fellowship
Date: May 15, 2019
Title: AUXIN AND BRASSINOSTEROID REGULATION OF PRIMARY ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN MAIZE
Objectives:
1.) Functional characterization of the role of auxin and brassinosteroids in maize roots.
2.) Genome wide association studies and mutant screens to identify genomic loci responsible for auxin, brassinosteroid, and auxin-brassinosteroid mediated responses.
USDA-NIFA predoctoral Fellowship
Date: January 15, 2017
Title: BRASSINOSTEROIDS INTERACT WITH GIBBERELLIC ACID AND STRIGOLACTONES TO CONTROL MAIZE PLANT ARCHITECTURE
Objectives:
1.) Identify additional genes necessary for BR responses through a suppressor-enhancer screen of na2 and na1 mutants.
2.) Characterize the BR GA interaction that I previously discovered in maize.
3.) Test the hypothesis that SLs mediate the effect of BR and GA on branching.
CRIS Link[1]
Publications
Peer-Reviewed:
1. Yao H, Skirpan A, Wardell B, Matthes MS, Best NB, McCubbin T, Durbak A, Smith T, Malcomber S, McSteen P. (2019) The barren stalk2 gene is required for axillary meristem development in maize. Molecular Plant 12(3):374-389. [2]
2. Matthes MS, Best NB, Robil JM, Malcomber S, Gallavotti A, McSteen P. (2019) Auxin EvoDevo: Conservation and diversification of genes regulating auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signaling. Molecular Plant 12(3):293-320. [3]
3. Yang J, Thames S, Best NB, Jiang H, Huang P, Dilkes BP, Eveland AL. (2018) Brassinosteroids modulate meristem fate and differentiation of unique inflorescence morphology in Setaria virdis. The Plant Cell 30(1):48-66. [4]
4. Best NB, Johal G, Dilkes BP. (2017) Phytohormone inhibitor treatments phenocopy brassinosteroid–gibberellin dwarf mutant interactions in maize. Plant Direct 1(2):1-18. [5]
5. Best NB, Hartwig T, Budka JS, Fujioka S, Johal GS, Schulz B, Dilkes BP. (2016) nana plant2 encodes a maize ortholog of the Arabidopsis brassinosteroid biosynthesis gene DWARF1, identifying developmental interactions between brassinosteroids and gibberellins. Plant Phys 171:2633-2647. [6]
6. Best NB, Wang X, Brittsan S, Dean E, Helfers SJ, Homburg R, Mobley ML, Spindler TL, Xie B, Zhang M, Hasegawa PM, Joly RJ, Rhodes R, Dilkes BP (2016) Sunflower 'Sunspot' is hyposensitive to GA and has a missense mutation in the DELLA motif of HaDELLA1. J of Amer Soc of Hort Sci 141:889-894. [7]
7. Addo-Quaye C, Buescher B, Best NB, Chaikam V, Baxter I, Dilkes BP (2016) Forward genetics by sequencing EMS variation induced inbred lines. G3 doi:10.1534/g3.116.02966. [8]
8. Best NB, Hartwig T, Budka JS, Bishop BJ, Brown E, Potluri DPV, Cooper BR, Premachandra GS, Johnston CS, Schulz B (2014) Soilless plant growth media influence the efficacy of phytohormones and phytohormone inhibitors. PLoS One 9(12):e107689 [9]
9. Hartwig T, Corvalan C, Best NB, Budka JS, Zhu JY, Choe S, Schulz B (2012) Propiconazole is a specific and accessible brassinosteroid biosynthesis inhibitor for Arabidopsis and maize. PLoS One 7(5):e36625. [10]
Technical:
1. Best NB, Hartwig T, Budka JS, Schulz B, Weil C, Dilkes BP (2016) New nana plant1 (na1) allele. Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter Vol. 90 [11]
2. Best NB, Budka JS, Schulz B, Weil C, Dilkes BP (2014) New EMS-induced allele of terminal ear1 (te1) allele in the B73 background. Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter Vol. 88 [12]
