Wellington Muchero

Bio

Dr. Wellington Muchero is a Geneticist in the Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Muchero leads discovery projects utilizing High Performance Computing, De novo Genome assemblies, Genome-wide Association Mapping studies, Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping and functional validation of genes with wide-ranging functions in eukaryotes. He also leads research activities that seek to computationally predict and functionally validate conserved protein domains that mediate immune signaling across highly divergent biological processes including plant-microbe interactions and cancer progression in humans.

Professional Experience

Joint Faculty: Oak Ridge Institute (June 2020 - Present)
Joint Faculty: Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research (January 2017 - Present)
Joint Faculty: Plant Sciences Dept., University of Tennessee, Knoxville (May 2015 - Present)
Geneticist: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (October 2010 - Present)
Postdoctoral Scholar: University of California, Riverside (February 2008 - September 2010)

Awards

DOE Early Career Award (2017-2021)

Education

B.Sc Crop Science, Cum Laude, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona (2000-2003)
Ph.D Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside (2003-2007)

Professional Service

Editorial Board: Plant Physiology Journal

Professional Affiliations

Chairperson: Southern Forestry Tree Improvement Committee (SFTIC)

Specialized Equipment

Ultra-Long read DNA and RNA sequencing

Hybrid De novo Genome Assembly

High Performance Computing

High-throughput Phenotyping

Trademarks and Patents

Pan domain activates ubiquitination. United States patent US 18,323,672. 2024 Jan 4.

Methods for immunoregulation by modulating plasminogen-apple-nematode (pan) domain-containing proteins. United States patent application US 17/012,139. 2021 Mar 11.

Transcription Factor Which Regulates Flavonoid, Phenylpropanoid, Tyrosine, and Tryptophan Pathways. United States patent US 20,150,353,948. 2015 Dec 10.

KEY GENE REGULATING PLANT CELL WALL RECALCITRANCE. United States patent US 20,160,053,275. 2016 Feb 25.

Complex of mutualistic microbes designed to increase plant productivity. United States patent US 10,660,340. 2020 May 26.

Methods for improving callus formation and regeneration in plants. United States patent application US 16/525,724. 2020 Jan 30.

Methods of improving mycorrhization in plants and genetically modified plants with improved mycorrhization. United States patent application US 16/520,967. 2020 Jan 30.

Methods of identifying and modulating pathogen resistance in plants. United States patent application US 16/148,319. 2019 Jun 27.

Methods of controlling vegetative growth and flowering times by modulating phosphoenolpyruvate shunt between shikimate and glycolysis pathways. United States patent application US 16/183,074. 2019 May 9.

Filamentous fungi capable of producing very long chain fatty acids. US Patent App. 16/381,521, 2020.