Aaron Liepman

A photo of Aaron Liepman

Professor

Biology

401A Science Complex

734.487.1023

[email protected]

Education

  • BS, University of Michigan, 1996
  • MS, University of Michigan, 1999
  • Ph.D., University of Michigan (Mentor: Laura Olsen), 2002
  • Postdoctoral, Michigan State University (Mentor: Kenneth Keegstra), 2002–2006

Interests and Expertise

The walls surrounding plant cells are a complex matrix of polysaccharides, proteins, and often lignin. Cell walls define cell size and shape, provide protection against pathogens, and impart strength and flexibility to plants. Plant cell walls are also a source of renewable biomass useful for a multitude of applications. My research aims to identify enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, and to understand the physiological functions of particular cell wall polysaccharides.

Courses

  • BIO 306W Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory
  • BIO 401 Honors Thesis
  • BIO 501 Proposal Development in Biology
  • BIO 545 Recombinant DNA Techniques

Achievements

  • Recipient of the 2010 Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarly/Creative Activity

Publications and Presentations

  • Liepman AH, Vijayalakshmi J, Peisach D, Hulsebus B, Olsen LJ, Saper MA. 2019. Crystal structure of photorespiratory alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (AGT1) from Arabidopsis thaliana. Frontiers in Plant Science 10: 1229.
  • Liepman, A.H., Cavalier, D.M. 2012. The Cellulose Synthase-Like A and Cellulose Synthase-Like C families: recent advances and future perspectives. Frontiers in Plant Science 3: 109.
  • Gille, S., Cheng, K., Skinner, M.E., Liepman, A.H., Wilkerson, C.G., Pauly, M. 2011. Deep sequencing of voodoo lily (Amorphophallus konjac): an approach to identify relevant genes involved in the synthesis of the hemicellulose glucomannan. Planta 234: 515–526.
  • Davis, J., Brandizzi, F., Liepman, A.H., Keegstra, K. 2010. Arabidopsis mannan synthase CSLA9 and glucan synthase CSLC4 have opposite orientations in the Golgi membrane. Plant Journal 64: 1028–1037.
  • Liepman, A.H., Wightman, R., Geshi, N., Turner, S.R., Scheller, H.V. 2010. Arabidopsis - a powerful model system for plant cell wall research. Plant Journal 61: 1107–1121.
  • Goubet, F., Barton, C.J., Mortimer, J.C., Yu, X.L., Zhang, Z.N., Miles, G.P., Richens, J., Liepman, A.H., Seffen, K., Dupree, P. 2009. Cell wall glucomannan in Arabidopsis is synthesized by CSLA glycosyltransferases, and influences the progression of embryogenesis. Plant Journal 60: 527–538.
  • Cocuron, J-C., Lerouxel, O., Drakakaki, G., Alonso, A.P., Liepman, A.H., Keegstra, K., Raikhel, N., Wilkerson, C.G.. 2007. A gene from the Cellulose Synthase-Like C family encodes a β-1,4-glucan synthase. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104: 8550–8555.
  • Liepman, A.H., Nairn, C.J., Willats, W.G.T., Sorensen, I., Roberts, A.W., Keegstra, K. 2007. Functional genomic analysis supports conservation of function among Cellulose Synthase-Like A gene family members and suggests diverse roles of mannans in plants. Plant Physiology 143: 1881–1893.
  • Lerouxel, O., Cavalier, D.M., Liepman, A.H., Keegstra, K. 2006. Biosynthesis of plant cell walls - a complex process. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 9: 621–630.
  • Liepman, A.H., Wilkerson, C.G., Keegstra, K. 2005. Expression of cellulose synthase-like (Csl) genes in insect cells reveals that CslA family members encode mannan synthases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 102: 2221–2226.
  • Liepman, A.H., Olsen, L.J. 2004. Genomic analysis of aminotransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 23: 73–89.
  • Liepman, A.H., Olsen, L.J. 2003. Alanine aminotransferase homologs catalyze the glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase reaction in peroxisomes of Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 131: 215–227.
  • Liepman, A.H., Olsen, L.J. 2001. Peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (AGT1) is a photorespiratory enzyme with multiple substrates in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Journal 25: 487–498.