The PI will study the metabolism of fructose in two species of plants, known commonly as thistle and dandelion. These plant store carbohydrate as fructans, and knowledge of the metabolism could be of considerable use in controlling their contamination of range- and cropland. The research is an extension of the PI's graduate experience and would be of considerable benefit to allow the PI to focus on a project which could funded by the USDA, state Ag funds, and NSF programs. The planning period is of great merit to further the career plans of the PI. It is designed to be partly a post- doctoral, and collaborative interaction with scientists who may very favorably impact upon the PI's development.
