The Uhrig lab utilizes multi-modal functional genomics and quantitative proteomics to characterize a wide range of plants, crops and beyond. In particular, we are focused on resolving the signaling events and novel phenomenon that control plant growth and development under changing light and stress conditions.

​Plants regulate cellular processes based on the presence or absence of light through a combination of anticipatory (circadian) and reactive (light responsive) mechanisms. Together, these mechanisms allow plants to dynamically adapt to their daily environment as well as signal developmental events (e.g. flowering). To date, the extent to which diel plant cell regulation is controlled by changes in protein abundance and/or post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) remains poorly understood.​
Khodabocus, Li, Mehta and Uhrig 2020
PTMs are central to the proper functioning of eukaryotic cells. They represent fast-acting, fine-tuning mechanisms for regulating protein activities, changes in sub-cellular localization and protein-protein interactions, amongst others, collectively resulting in diverse biological outcomes. Protein phosphorylation and protein acetylation are two of the the most abundant PTMs identified to date. Given this, our work is focused on identifying and characterizing plant cell processes regulated by these PTMs.
Khodabocus, Li, Mehta and Uhrig 2020
Uhrig Lab Research Overview
Fundamental Plant Research: The fundamental research of the Uhrig lab involves using functional genomics and quantitative proteomics to examine how diel plant biology intersects with environmental stresses using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Through these systems-biology approaches, we resolve novel targets of interest for further investigation using a combination of plant genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and targeted proteomics.
Uhrig lab image
Recent Publications:
1. Smith et al., 2025 - Plant Cell & Environment
2. Li et al., 2025 - ​New Phytologist 
​3. Mehta et al., 2024 - Science Advances
Translational Crop Research: A key Uhrig lab goal is to help create the crop solutions of tomorrow through the use of AI-enabled, integrated multi-modal omics approaches. In collaboration with our many academic, government and industry partners, the Uhrig lab continues to make lasting contributions to enhanced crop breeding, diagnostics, and agriculture climate resiliency. Our work involves both field and controlled growth environment research with Brassica napus (canola),  Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Zea mays (corn).

Recent Publications:
​1. Scandola et al., 2026 - Journal of Experimental Botany
​2. Grubb et al., 2025 - Proteomics 
3. Grubb et al., 2024 - Plant Cell & Environment
Technology Development: The Uhrig lab endeavors to adapt and develop new technologies that help answer biological questions of  fundamental and translational interest. Most recently, this has included new proteomic technologies, mass spectrometry acquisition workflows and AI-enabled plant phenomics pipelines.​
Metha et al., 2022 - Analytical Chemistry
Recent Publications:
​1. Hassan et al., 2026 - Plant Physiology
2. Rodriguez-Gallo et al., 2023 - Molecular & Cellular Proteomics
3. Sakeef et al., 2023 - Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
4. Mehta et al., 2022 - Analytical Chemistry
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