The focus of research in the Van Eck laboratory is biotechnological approaches to the study of gene function and crop improvement. For our studies, we apply several genetic engineering strategies to two major food crops: potato and tomato. The development of biotechnological techniques has made it possible to design and introduce gene constructs into plant cells and recover plants that express the introduced genes. Genes of interest to us have the potential to strengthen a plant’s resistance to disease, improve fruit characteristics, and enhance nutritional quality.
BTI Center for Plant Biotechnology Research
Groundcherry and Goldenberry Project
“The Physalis Improvement Project“
The Physalis genus is part of the Solanaceae family (also home to the well-known tomato and potato), and is home to the edible species of peruviana and pruinosa. These species are commonly referred to as groundcherry and goldenberry, as well as many other regional names. Plants produce small edible fruits that range from sweet to tart with a variety of unique flavors. This project aims to further explore the cultivation of peruviana and pruinosa in New York State and gauge potential for local food systems. The Physalis Improvement Project is led by the Van Eck research group and is made possible through funding from The Triad and National Science Foundations.
The focus of research in the Van Eck laboratory is biotechnological approaches in the study of gene function and crop improvement. The development of biotechnological techniques has made it possible to design and introduce gene constructs into plant cells with the subsequent recovery of plants that express the introduced genes.
We have a summer intern position available on a collaborative NSF-funded project to study the networks involved in meristem transitions in plants and their roles in branching variation and flower production. Together with our collaborators on this project, we have established an approach that utilizes genetic, genomic, natural variation, and biotechnological tools in tomato and related Solanaceae species to identify and characterize the underlying molecular networks regulating shoot architecture and flower production in plants that exhibit the widespread “sympodial” growth habit.
The Van Eck lab’s role in this project is to develop efficient genetic engineering methods for several Solanaceaefamily members to determine candidate gene involvement in meristem transition and branching across species. In addition, we are responsible for phenotypic analysis of the resultant transgenic lines that we grow in the BTI greenhouse.
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BTI’s Michelle Heck and Joyce Van Eck Guest on Podcasts
Boyce Thompson Institute is happy to share that two of our faculty members recently appeared as guests on popular podcasts. The content of these podcasts illustrate the breadth of research being done at the Institute to help increase global food security, improve human health and benefit the environment. Joyce Van Eck guested on the Gastropod […] Read more » -
BTI Researchers Unlocking Hornworts’ Secrets
Hornworts are a little-studied, ancient group of plants with some very unique biology, including their methods of securing carbon and nitrogen. Unlocking these secrets may help researchers boost agricultural output and use less synthetic fertilizer, as well as provide broader insights into plant evolution. Unfortunately, there are no genetic tools for determining the functions of […] Read more » -
CRISPR tames the wild groundcherry
ITHACA, NY – You might not have heard of the groundcherry, or at least, never tasted one. But that could soon change thanks to research from the Van Eck Laboratory at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI). The groundcherry (Physalis pruinosa) is approximately the same size as a cherry tomato, but with a much sweeter flavor. The […] Read more » -
BTI promotes faculty members Schroeder and Van Eck
Boyce Thompson Institute president, David Stern, has officially announced promotions for faculty members Frank Schroeder and Joyce Van Eck. Both researchers were thoroughly reviewed and evaluated on both their achievements to date and the potential they possess. Read more »
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CRISPR can speed up nature—and change how we grow food
BTI Associate Professor Joyce Van Eck's gene editing research is the featured cover story of the August 2018 edition of WIRED Magazine. Read more » -
Science, art and wine collide: Art@BTI to showcase local photography, food system research
The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) invites the Ithaca community to Art@BTI, a free event where art, science, and wine will collide. Art@BTI will take place on Thursday, May 31st from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Read more » -
Science In Real Life: GMOs with the Van Eck Lab
Follow Science In Real Life (IRL) as they head to the Van Eck Lab and demystify GMOs by showing how they’re made in the lab. Read more » -
Genetic changes in tomatoes may help crops produce early and often
Cultivating a disregard for day length enabled humans to introduce tomatoes to the Mediterranean region. Read more » -
SolGenomics Meeting Has Newest Advances in Nightshades
Many BTI researchers will present their latest research at the 13th annual SolGenomics Conference, Sept. 12-16 in Davis, California. Read more » -
More Tomatoes, Faster: Van Eck Accelerates Tomato Engineering
An improved protocol cuts the time it takes to modify a tomato's genome from 17 weeks to 11, accelerating research into ways to breed more productive crops. Read more » -
Threatened Plant Gets Boost from BTI Biotech Lab
Woodland agrimony is so rare in New York that there weren't enough plants to study why it is in decline. The Van Eck lab used tissue culture techniques to multiply the plant. Read more » -
A-plus Potatoes May Lead to More Nutritious Cassava Crops
A technique to enhance beta-carotene levels in potatoes and cassava may one day help alleviate vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Read more » -
Van Eck Gives Insight into Genetic Engineering to Cornell Students
Students in Cornell University’s course, The GMO Debate: Science and Society, visited a genetic engineering laboratory at Boyce Thompson Institute, courtesy of Assistant Professor Joyce Van Eck and postdoctoral researcher Alex Amaro, Stern Lab. Read more » -
Student Symposium Caps Off 2015 Summer Intern Program
“My experience was really valuable...It confirmed the fact that I want to do science...science doesn’t work a lot of the time...it’s having the motivation and determination to tackle problems that you’re always going to come across.” Juan G Read more » -
BTI Welcomes New Crop of Summer Interns
BTI welcomes 20 college-level interns for 10 weeks of research in Plant Genome Research Program, the Bioinformatics Program or the Bioenergy Education Program. Read more » -
BTI Tomato and Fruit Biology Group Awarded USDA Secretary of Agriculture Honor
BTI researchers led team that pioneered international tomato gene sequencing and genetic basis of fruit ripening. Congrats to Vrebalov, Van Eck, Mueller, Giovannoni, Fei. Read more » -
Tomato Genome Becomes Fully Sequenced – Paving the Way for Healthier Plants
For the first time, the genome of the tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, has been decoded. Read more »