A UGA geneticist received quite the honor this week. The journal Cell named Robert Schmitz, as researcher in the Franklin College’s department of genetics, as one of the most accomplished young scientists under the age of 40. 

Those honored were selected for their contributions to shaping current and future trends in biology from a pool of international nominees to commemorate Cell’s 40th anniversary.

Schmitz’s research focuses on plant epigenetics, specifically the phenomenon known as DNA methylation and how this process affects the expression of plants used in both agriculture and basic research.  DNA methylation signals cells to turn specific genes off.  For example, a plant may inherit genes from its parents that make it more drought-tolerant, but because segments of DNA have undergone methylation, the potentially advantageous genes are switched off. 

Research on the topic could play a big role in the future of agriculture.  UGA, he says, is a plant epigenetics researcher’s dream playground.

"In any given plant, reversing methylation randomly throughout the genome may have a positive or negative effect, or it may have no observable effect at all," Schmitz said. "But we know that some of the diversity in plants that we see in nature is controlled by DNA methylation, and we want to figure out how we can alter the methylation status of these genes to develop agriculturally beneficial traits."

Many different plant genomes have recently been fully sequenced, allowing researchers to see every single segment of a plant's genetic code. Schmitz and his colleagues can leverage these new genetic roadmaps to speed their own research into DNA methylation.

"I was really excited to come here because of the major plant genomes that come out of UGA," he said. "I can't think of any school that has assembled and published more plant genomes, and these will be extremely helpful in my own research."

Schmitz is already working closely with fellow UGA researchers on 35 plant species, including peanuts, soybeans and corn.

"It's like a playground for us," he said. "We know what we're good at and we know what other researchers at this campus are good at, so we combine those strengths to create stronger, more         innovative research."

Congratulations on being recognized by an esteemed journal in the field. Kudos to Schmitz and UGA’s plant epigenetics researchers for their hard work and collaboration in an important field of study.  Keep up the great work.  

Image: Robert Schmitz, UGA Photographic Services.