Venugopal Mendu

Venugopal Mendu

Venugopal Mendu is an Associate Professor of Cell wall biology in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. He received his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from India and a doctoral degree in Plant Physiology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Program from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky in 2009. He obtained his postdoctoral training (2009 to 2013) at the University of Kentucky and Institute of Biology, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France. He, joined Texas Tech University (TTU) as an Assistant Professor in 2013.

Mendu labmainly on plant cell wall biology with special focus on understanding the fundamental roles of cell wall biosynthetic genes involved in plant development and cell wall biosynthesis. Currently, his lab is focusing on light mediated regulation of cell wall biosynthesis. Recently, his group discovered that a blue light receptor, FKF1 is negatively regulating cellulose synthesis. Using genetic, molecular, and bioinformatic approaches, his lab is discovering the light mediated signaling pathway components involved in cellulose synthesis.

He teaches “Functional genomics”, and “Transgenic and plant cell genetics” at Texas Tech University. He has received “Chancellor’s distinguished research”, “International impact”, “College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Research” and “TTU alumni association New Faculty” awards at Texas Tech university. For more information on his research, please visit lab page (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/pss/mendulab/).