Will Dobson Email & Phone Number

Gainesville, Fl, Us

Gainesville, Florida, United States

I am currently working on my Master's Degree in the Klee/Tieman tomato flavor lab. The broad scope of the lab is to unravel the biochemical pathways and genetic factors responsible for synthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) -- a major factor in tomato flavor. For my thesis project I am using CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout a cluster aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) genes that are predicted to contribute to production of phenylalanine derived VOCs in tomato fruit: 1-Nitro-2-phenylethane, 2-Phenylacetonitrile, and 2-Phenylethanol. These VOCs have been associated with flavor preference in tomato, so understanding the genes responsible for their production is essential to breed for improved flavor. The results of this work will likely be incorporated into our breeding program by using DNA markers at this locus.I am also continuing on a project I began working on at the lab during my undergraduate degree. The project utilized an F2 population subjected to Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) to identify causal loci for Internal White Tissue (IWT) disorder in ripe tomato fruit. This work will ideally provide a strong understanding of the genetic factors responsible for susceptibility/resistance to this fruit quality disorder. Upon determining candidate genes, I would like to use CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout candidate genes and validate their role in IWT formation. This information could then be used by future breeders to select for IWT resistance.

Gainesville, Florida, United States

I worked in Dr. Harry Klee's tomato flavor breeding lab at UF. I worked closely with the lab's associate professor -- Dr. Denise Tieman. In my time at the lab I gained experience conducting research independently, as well as with laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction, DNA primer design, restriction enzyme digests, gel electrophoresis and targeted cross pollinations. I have been able to practice using these techniques to identify successful CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts in 3 Lipase genes -- with the goal of eliminating the synthesis of a VOC associated with a negative 'grassy' flavor in tomatoes. In addition, I worked on a project that used Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) to identify QTLs for the formation of Internal White Tissue (IWT) disorder in ripe tomato fruit. Fine mapping of these QTLs should reveal candidate genes for susceptibility/resistance, which can then be used for targets of CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts and/or DNA markers to select for IWT resistance.

Yakima, Washington, United States

Early in the internship my fellow interns and I scouted hop fields to locate and remove off-types and males to improve yield and ensure a consistent product. During the harvest season I assisted the CSO -- Dr. Ryan Christian -- with collecting phenotypic data such as plant architecture, plant chemistry, dry matter content for harvesting time, and yields from the hop and hemp breeding fields.

Gainesville, Florida, United States

I worked in Dr. Bala Rathinasabapathi's pepper breeding lab. My daily responsibilities included making targeted cross pollinations, making phenotypic observations for breeding as well as heirloom varieties, and helping maintain the lab's greenhouse. I also gained experimental research for a project analyzing resistance 5 species of Root Knot Nematode in a handful of pepper cultivars. Through this experience I reared seedlings for inoculation, stained and counted egg masses in root tissue, and dissected egg masses to get total egg counts using compound microscopes. I also helped inoculate root tissue with a fixed number of nematodes to later count and determine the proportion of nematodes that infiltrated the root tissue using a dissection microscope.