Dannenhoffer, Joanne

• ​Zhan, J., Dannenhoffer, J.M., and R. Yadegari 2017 Endosperm development and cell specialization. In Maize Kernel Development B.A. Larkins Ed.
• Li, G., Wang, D., Yang, R., Logan, K., Chen, H., Zhang, S., Skaggs, M.I., Lloyd, A., Burnett, W.J., Laurie, J.D., Hunter, B.G., Dannenhoffer, J.M., Larkins, B.A., Drews, G.N., Wang, X., and R. Yadegari 2014 Temporal patterns of gene expression in developing maize endosperm identified through transcriptome sequencing. PNAS 111(21): 7582-7587.
• Leroux, B.M., Goodyke, A.J., Schumacher, K.I., Abbott, C.P., Clore, A.C., Yadegari, R., Larkins, B.A., and J.M. Dannenhoffer 2014 Maize early endosperm growth and development: From fertilization through cell type differentiation. American J. Botany 101(8):1259-1274.
• Benison, K.C., Knapp, J.P., and J.M. Dannenhoffer 2011 The Pennsylvanian Pewamo Formation and associated Haybridge strata: Toward the resolution of the Jurassic Ionia red bed problem in the Michigan Basin, USA.  Journal of Sedimentary Research 81:459-478.
• Dannenhoffer, J.M., Stein, W., and P.M. Bonamo 2007 The primary body of Rellimia thomsonii: integrated perspective based on organically connected specimens. International Journal of Plant Sciences 168 (4):491-506.
• Dannenhoffer, J.M. and P.M. Bonamo 2003 The wood of Rellimia from the Middle Devonian of New York. International Journal of Plant Sciences 164:429-441
• Clore, A.M., Dannenhoffer, J.M. and B.A. Larkins 1996 EF-1a Is Associated with a Cytoskeletal Network Surrounding Protein Bodies in Maize Endosperm Cells. Plant Cell 8(11):2003-2014.
• Dannenhoffer, J.M., Bostwick, D.E., Or, E. and B.A. Larkins 1995 opaque-15, a novel maize mutation with properties of a defective opaque-2 modifier. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA 92:1931-1935.

• Ph.D., the University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1989
• M.A., State University of New York and Binghamton, 1984
• B.S., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1981

• Plant Cell Biology
• Plant Development Biology
• Fossil Plants

Current research projects

My research lab is working to elucidate the cytological and genetic mechanisms controlling early endosperm development in maize kernels. Maize kernels are a major food source and industrial commodity for the starch housed in the endosperm tissue. Our work uses microscopy and growth analysis to describe the formative events in endosperm tissue development within the kernel. During this work we discovered and named a new cell type and are currently extending our light microscopic descriptions of these cells using transmission electron microscopy to describe their ultrastructure. Through a large scale sequencing effort of these earliest developmental stages, we described what genes are expressed and how gene expression changes during development. We are building upon this work to tie gene regulatory networks to developmental events and specific cell types. In addition, we are taking a comparative approach to study how endosperm development in the reference genetic line of maize compares with other lines with large and small mature kernels to help understand the determinants that produce large kernels with abundant starch. Lastly, we are currently examining the effects of drought stress on early endosperm and kernel development.