This research group is interested in addressing two fundamentally important questions in biology: 1] how does an organism make decisions? and 2] how does an organism respond to its environment? In addition, the Ho lab is also interested in developing microbial enzymes useful in the cellulosic biofuel production

Hormonal antagonism in the regulation of seed dormancy/germination:
The interaction between two phytohormones, the promotive gibberellins [GA] and the inhibitory abscisic acid [ABA], is central to the developmental transition from seed dormancy to germination. The research program has been focused on the signaling process mediated by GA and ABA, as well as the crosstalk between these two hormones.

Function of stress proteins:
Due to their lack of mobility to avoid stressful conditions, plants tend to drastically alter their gene expression profile in response to environmental perturbations. However, the function of many stress-induced proteins remains unexplored. We are currently investigating a late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein,HVA1, a programmed cell death repressor, HVA22, and a highly proline-rich glycoprotein, RePRP. HVA1 and RePRP are likely to be intrinsically disordered proteins and their function is dependent on other proteins they interact with. We are also interested in the role of these proteins in the re-programing of root development under stress.

Microbial enzymes for cellulosic biofuel production:
Another effort in the lab is related to the discovery,improvement, and application of microbial cellulolytic enzymes, i.e., endo-glucanase and exo-glucanases,β-glucosidase, and laccase for biofuel production from recalcitrant agricultural wastes, such as rice straws and sugarcane bagasse. We have isolated and cloned highly active and stable enzymes from Taiwan indigenous microorganisms and insects. The protein structure/function relationship of these enzymes is currently being investigated and the information used as the foundation for improvements.