Washington University in St Louis · BiologyPlant Immunity and Circadian Rhythms Lab
Ben N. Mansfeld · Saint Louis, Missouri
Research Focus
Dr. Ben N. Mansfeld's lab at Washington University explores how the timing of immune responses in plants, particularly through their internal biological clocks known as circadian rhythms, affects their defenses against pathogens. By studying a diverse group of plants called Solanum, the lab investigates how different environmental factors impact these rhythms and ultimately influence plant immunity. The research aims not only to advance our understanding of plant biology but also to draw parallels that could inform human health and disease treatments.
circadian rhythmsplant immunitygenome-wide association studiesCRISPRdisease resistancegenetic diversityepigenomicsSolanum genustranscriptomics
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how circadian rhythms affect immune responses in plants.
AIM 02Explore genetic variants in Solanum that influence immune function.
AIM 03Identify environmental factors impacting biological rhythms in plants.
AIM 04Develop methods to enhance disease resistance through circadian optimization.
AIM 05Draw connections between plant immune responses and similar mechanisms in humans.
Skills the Lab Values
genome-wide association studies (GWAS)CRISPR gene editingtranscriptomicsepigenomicsplant tissue culturepathogen resistance assaysdata analysis in Rmolecular cloningphenotyping techniques
Output against the department
Publications33bottom 5% of dept.984th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations762bottom 3% of dept.999th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.