Jason Abercrombie

Postdoctoral research associate

jabercro@utk.edu

Education:    
B.S., Biology, College of Charleston, SC 2000
M.S., Environmental Studies, Graduate School at the College of Charleston, SC       
Ph.D, Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2007

Research Interests:  My research has primarily involved efforts towards developing a “phytosensor” for the toxic metalloid arsenic.  My goal has been to exploit genetic elements from the bacterial ars operon to enable a plant that will emit a fluorescent signal in the presence of arsenic.  Because arsenate behaves in a similar way as the important plant macronutrient phosphate, another research interest of mine includes trying to understand how plants respond differently (on a molecular level) to arsenate and phosphate using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model.  Additionally, I am working towards the development of a genetic transformation method for the arsenic hyperaccumulating ferns, Pteris vittata and Pteris cretica.  I have a keen interest in bioenergy and I am currently organizing a course to introduce students (and myself) to the various research areas within the scope of bioenergy.                    
I am originally from Lexington, South Carolina and my hobbies include painting, wood carving, and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fly-fishing.

Articles:

Abercrombie JM, Rushing J, Farnham MW (2005) Genetic combining ability of
glucoraphanin level and other horticultural traits of broccoli.  Euphytica, 143: 145-151.

Book chapters:

Abercrombie JM, Halfhill MD, Stewart CN Jr.  (2005) Transgenic plants for environmental monitoring and extraction of arsenic. In: Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Volume Three.  Thangadurai, D, Pullaiah, T, Tripathy, L (Eds), Regency Publications, New Delhi, India.  143-152.

Abercrombie JM, Rao, MR, Stewart CN Jr. (2008) Phytoremediation. In: Opportunities for applications of transgenic plants. Conner T and Jacobs J (Eds)
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing U.S. Publication date: October 2008.