Ph.D. in Biology, Yale University
M.S. in Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston
B.S. in Biology, Northeastern University
Affiliation

Adjunct Associate Professor of Plant Molecular Biology, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, 2001-2014.
Post-Doctoral Training

Research Associate, Waksman Institute, Rutgers University 1988-1994.
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, 1986-1988.
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Rockefeller University, 1986.

Areas of interest include cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, and biotechnology.

Dr. Ueda's research is directed towards a better understanding of the stress tolerance mechanisms of plants and animals. His work focuses on peroxiredoxins (Prx's) that are evolutionarily conserved thiol-dependent antioxidant enzymes that protect organisms against cellular damages caused by reactive oxygen and sulfur species produced from oxidation processes. Using molecular and transgenic techniques, he is examining the role of peroxiredoxins in desiccation tolerance in plants, and its regulation during seed development and vegetative growth. Plant species under investigation include buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Arabidopsis thaliana, and local species that exhibit remarkable abilities for vegetative desiccation tolerance such as Ball Moss (Tillandsia recuavata) and Melaleuca. Recently, his research on the stress tolerance has been extended to an animal system, monitoring the role of the antioxidant in the stress tolerance of the flatback mud crab (Eurypanopeus depressus). His research also focuses on the production of novel drugs for the treatment of Non-Insulin Dependent (type-II) Diabetes Mellitus and PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome. Plant seeds produce chemical compounds that resemble the insulin mediators deficient in the human patients suffering from these diseases, and development of pharmaceutical drugs from based on the plant compounds is under investigation. His research has been supported by the federal competitive grants from CREES/USA and NSF (MRI/RUI), and also from the FGCU ORSP and the NASA/Florida Space Grant Consortium.

Selected Scholarly Works (* denotes undergraduate author)

• Lewis*, L.M., K. Miki*, and T. Ueda. 2000. FePer1, a gene encoding an evolutionarily conserved 1-Cys peroxiredoxin in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is expressed in a seed-specific manner and induced during seed germination. Gene 246:81-91.
• Obendorf, R.L., S. Odorcic, T. Ueda, and M.P. Coseo*. 2004. Fagopyritol and galactinol accumulation enhanced by substrate feeding of soybean embryos. Seed Science Research 14:321-333.
• Ueda, T., M.P. Coseo*, T.J. Harrell*, and R. L. Obendorf. 2005. A multifunctional galactinol synthase catalyzes the synthesis of fagopyritol A1 and fagopyritol B1 in buckwheat seed. Plant Science 168:681-690.
• Van Horn, J., V. Malhoe*, M. Devina*, M. Thies*, S. G. Tolley, and T. Ueda. 2010. Molecular cloning and expression of a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin gene in the crustacean Eurypanopeus depressus induced by acute hypo-osmotic stress. Comp. Biochem. and Physiol., Part B 155:309-315.
• Obendorf,R.L., Horbowicz, M., Ueda, T., and Steadman, K.J. 2012. Fagopyritols: Occurrence, Biosynthesis, Analyses and Possible Role. Eur. J. Plant Sci. Biotech. 6 (Special Issue 2), 27-36.
• Obendorf, R.L. and Ueda, T. (2014) Fagopyritol synthase genes and uses thereof. United States Patent No.: US2014/0127750A1. Issue Date: May 8, 2014.