Oklahoma State University - Ramanjulu Sunkar

In a state deeply rooted in agriculture, advancements in plant science will help Oklahoma farmers grow their business. In 2008, Oklahomans produced 166,500,000 bushels of wheat.

At Oklahoma State University, Dr. Ramanjulu Sunkar, assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, is examining micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in wheat, rice, switchgrass, legumes and other plant species. In plants, miRNAs have been shown to regulate growth, development and a variety of biotic and abiotic stress responses.

This plant molecular biology research can help unravel complex plant regulatory networks that control development, nutrition and stress responses. The end goal is to breed better plants that can be drought or disease resistant.
The weather is beyond man’s control, but researchers are discovering new ways to produce robust breeds of plants that can withstand unfavorable conditions.

Dr. Sunkar's research will help breed better plants.