Welcome to the Plant Single Cell Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln directed by Associate Professor Marc Libault. Working on single plant cells, the laboratory investigates the genomic and epigenomic regulation of gene expression in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses.

Specifically, applying modern functional genomic and nucleic acid sequencing tools, we are characterizing the interactions between transcription factors and the genomic DNA, the regulation and function of small RNAs on gene transcription. The various projects developed in the laboratory can be accessed by clicking on the “Projects” and “Publications".

Plant single nuclei RNA-seq (sNucRNA-seq) library construction using 10x Genomics technology

Courtesy of Emily Tran and Dr. Colleen Syron, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Single-Nucleus RNA and ATAC-seq publication from Libault lab cited as one of the Best of Molecular Plant 2021 (IF=21.949)
  • New publication from the Libault lab 

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2022.10.021
  • Molecular Cartography technology applied on soybean nodules and root cross-section to support cellular annotation

    Mr. Sutton Tennant (Libault lab, UNL) and Resolve Biosciences (Germany)

  • Nebraskans High Schoolers Introduced to Plant Molecular Biology by Dr. Libault
    RHESS Project founded by NFS 

    students in class photo 1

    Taylor Leverett, Central City, NTV News (https://nebraska.tv/news/local/unl-is-turning-students-into-scientists-with-a-new-biotech-program-marc-libault-chelle-gillan/)>

  • Summer Intern 2022

  • Ms./Ph.D. Position in Plant Single Cell Computational Biology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now open

    The graduate student will apply and develop bioinformatics and computational tools to reveal the transcriptomic regulation of plant genes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses at the level of single plant cells under the co-advisory of Drs. Libault and Saha (https://engineering.unl.edu/ssbio/).

    Visit Job openings for more information and to apply

  • Ian and Akash, Lincoln High School Students, share an outstanding video of their summer research project.

    Ian and Akash decided to continue their research project in the lab during the Fall semester.

    Open access

  • In the news: 
    Marc Libault
    Husker scientist leads effort to understand, adapt legume nitrogen conversion

    Soybeans and other legumes interact with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria called rhizobia that are able to convert nitrogen in the air into a form the plant can use to grow and reproduce. Corn and other crops can’t, requiring nitrogen fertilizers to maximize growth and yield — problematic because overapplication or runoff can pollute soil and water.

  • Publication from the Libault lab on the "Best of Molecular Plant 2021" list

    Open access
    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2021.01.001