Lloyd W. Sumner

Research

The research focus of the Sumner lab includes the development of cutting-edge technologies for large-scale biochemical profiling of plant metabolites (ie metabolomics) and integrating these with transcriptomics. These technologies are then applied in a symbiotic manner for plant gene discovery, gene characterization and the elucidation of mechanistic responses to external stimuli; especially related to plant specialized metabolism or plant natural products biosynthesis. Technology enables the biology and the biology drives technology development. Current technology development projects include the development of a sophisticated and integrated ensemble including UHPLC-MS-SPE-NMR for the systematic and biologically driven annotation of plant metabolomes. This suite of tools is being applied to better understand carbon sequestration in cell wall lignin and lipids. The Sumner lab is also currently using integrated metabolomics for the discovery and characterization of triterpene saponin biosynthetic genes in the model legume Medicago truncatula. We have proven success in using this technology for a better understanding of natural products including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, terpenoids, and waxes.

Awards & Honors

• 2014 - President Elect, Phytochemistry Society of North America
• 2013 Lifetime Honorary Fellow of the Metabolomics Society for contributions towards establishing the Metabolomics Society as a truly international and financially sound organization, and for influential research contributions to the field of plant metabolomics.
• 2013 - 2015 Front Pages Co-Editor with Robert Hall, Metabolomics journal.
• Scientific Advisory Board Member, The Netherlands Metabolomics Center, Thomas Hankemeier (PI) July 2011-2015
• Scientific Advisory Board Member, Center for Advanced Biofuel Systems, Richard Sayre (PI), March 2011-2014
• Review Editorial Board for Frontiers in Plant Proteomics, March 2011- present
• Review Editor, Frontiers in Plant Biotechnology, Jan 2011 - present
• Treasurer, The Metabolomics Society, Oct. 2010 - Sept.2012
• Member, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center Biotechnology Advisory Committee Aug. 2010 - 2015
• President, The Metabolomics Society, Oct.2008 - Sept. 2010
• Interim Treasurer, The Metabolomics Society, Oct. 2007 - Dec. 2008
• Adjunct Professor, Oklahoma University, Dept. of Botany and Microbiology, Jan 2008-present
• Faculty of 1000, 2008-present
• Board of Directors, Metabolomics Society, Oct 2007 - 2010.
• Cameron University Distinguished Alumni 2007 Award
• Editorial Board: Plant Physiology (American Society for Plant Biology), Jan 2007 - 2014.
• Fellow, The American Association for the Advancement of Science (Sept. 2005 - present)
• Editorial Board: Metabolomics journal (Kluwer), Oct. 2004 to date.
• Scientific Advisory Board, Metabolomics Society, Cambridge, MA (2004 - 2007)
• External Scientific Advisory Committee Member - Colorado State University Metabolomics
• Consortium (2004 - 2006)
• Scientific Consultant for Sigma-Aldrich Plant Biotech Initiative (2004 - 2005)
• Adjunct Associate Professor, Oklahoma State University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2004 - 2015.
• Co-founding and Current Member of the International Advisory Committee for Plant Metabolomics (2001-present)