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Lucia Carol Strader

Professor of Biology
Biology
124 Science Drive, 3332 French Family Science Center, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Normal plant morphogenesis and environmental responses require integrating multiple signals to modulate auxin responsiveness, biosynthesis, transport, and storage forms.  Auxin is a critical plant hormone, controlling both cell division and cell expansion and thereby orchestrating many developmental events and environmental responses.  Our research focuses on a molecular understanding of auxin signaling, auxin homeostasis, and auxin crosstalk with other hormones.  Understanding these molecular details will yield insight into strategies used by plants to alter growth in response to various environmental factors.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Biology · 2023 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published April 15, 2024
Today’s Faculty Reflect on a Century of Scholars
Published April 1, 2024
Research That Leaves No Farmer Behind
Published September 20, 2023
What Plants Can Tell Us About Climate Change

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Recent Publications


Core biological principles and tools stemming from basic Arabidopsis research.

Journal Article The Plant cell · July 2025 The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has been a cornerstone of research in plant biology, contributing transformative insights into fundamental biological processes across eukaryotes. In this vignette, we explore the role of Arabidopsis in elucidating immu ... Full text Cite

Efficient, cell-type-specific production of flavonols by multiplexed CRISPR activation of a suite of metabolic enzymes.

Journal Article Nature communications · July 2025 Synthetic biology in plants promises to transform basic and applied research by rewiring entire developmental modules, signaling cascades or metabolic pathways. Yet, this requires expression of many genes simultaneously, very difficult with classic transge ... Full text Cite

RACK1A positively regulates opening of the apical hook in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> via suppression of its auxin response gradient.

Journal Article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · July 2025 Apical hook development is an ideal model for studying differential growth in plants and is controlled by complex phytohormonal crosstalk, with auxin being the major player. Here, we identified a bioactive small molecule that decelerates apical hook openin ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


RESEARCH-PGR NSF-SNSF: Comparative high-resolution analysis of transcription factor binding sites in plant organ formation.

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2025 - 2028

NSF Engines Type -1: Climate-Resilient Opportunities for Plant Systems (CROPS) Innovation Engine

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University · 2024 - 2026

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2021 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Washington State University · 2004 Ph.D.

External Links


Strader Lab Website