Western University BiologyWestern Science  Mark Bernards, PhD
Plant Secondary Metabolism  Mark Bernards Position: Biological &
Geological Sciences 2025E (519) 661-2111 x 86477 519 661-3935
My research program is based on the study of plant secondary
metabolites or phytochemicals. I am interested in how plants use
phytochemicals to interact with other organisms or defend
themselves against environmental factors such as wounding and
pathogen attack. We spend a lot of time isolating and analysing
phytochemicals using various chromatographic techniques and
bioassays. Our research activities can be divided into two
categories: 1) Biosynthesis of Suberin and 2) Chemical Ecology
of Phytochemicals. Each is briefly described below.  1)
Biosynthesis of Suberin In response to wounding and other
environmental stresses, the cells of plants exposed to the
stress may be induced to form suberin. Suberin is the name given
to a specific cell wall modification deposited in periderm,
wound periderm, and endo- and exodermal cel