I completed a PhD in plant developmental genetics in July 2009 at Simon Fraser University where I worked with Jim Mattsson in the department of Biological Sciences. My thesis research explored the role of the plant hormone auxin in the formation of leaves from the shoot apical meristem and subsequent leaf vascular tissue patterning (Schuetz et al., 2007; Wenzel et al., 2007; Schuetz et al., 2008).
I subsequently moved to the University of British Columbia as a postdoctoral fellow to work with Lacey Samuels (Botany) and Brian Ellis (Michael Smith Labs), where I continued my work on xylem cell specification and differentiation as a member of the collaborative Working on Walls (WoW) research program. After two years, I accepted a research associate position in the Samuels lab, where I have been working on questions relating to how the cell biology supports the patterned deposition of secondary cell walls in xylem tracheary elements (TEs).
A prominent feature of xylem TEs is a thick secondary cell wall that provides mechanical strength to withstand the negative pressure associated with water transport. These secondary cell walls are rich in cellulose and hemicellulose and are highly cross-linked with the phenolic lignin polymer. Furthermore, the pattern of secondary cell wall deposition is developmentally regulated and early forming TEs (protoxylem) have annular or helical deposition patterns, whereas later forming TEs (metaxylem) have more reticulate deposition patterns (please see figure below). I have recently shown that the discrete deposition (polymerization) of lignin in secondary cell wall domains depends on the specific localization of oxidative enzymes called laccases (Schuetz et al., 2014). I am currently following up on this work by elucidating the mechanism(s) involved in the targeted secretion of polysaccharides and proteins during TE differentiation.
The evolution of my research interests have lead me to investigate how the high metabolic flux through the phenylpropanoid pathway is coordinated with monolignol transport and polymerization mechanisms. I use advanced live cell imaging techniques, spectral imaging using two-photon microscopy, biochemical analysis, and genetic manipulation of key enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway in Arabidopsis plants to answer these questions. Since several other important classes of plant secondary metabolites including anthocyanins, flavonols and other polyphenols are also derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway, the tools that I have developed are widely applicable to study the biosynthesis of these other compounds.
Schuetz M, Berleth T, Mattsson J (2008) Multiple MONOPTEROS-dependent pathways are involved in leaf initiation. Plant Physiol 148: 870-880 [view abstract]
Schuetz M, Haghighi-Kia A, Wenzel CL, Mattsson J (2007) Induction of xylem and fiber differentiation in Populus tremuloides. Canadian Journal of Botany-Revue Canadienne De Botanique 85: 1147-1157 [view abstract]
Wenzel CL, Schuetz M, Yu Q, Mattsson J (2007) Dynamics of MONOPTEROS and PIN-FORMED1 expression during leaf vein pattern formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J 49: 387-398 [view abstract]
