Research in the Grotewold lab investigates the mechanisms controlling plant gene expression and the organization of specialized metabolic pathways, with a focus on lipids, flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in a number of plants, including maize, Arabidopsis, Camelina and Pennycress. Our work integrates molecular genetics, protein and small molecule biochemistry, genomics, and synthetic biology to reveal regulatory networks and pathway architecture, enabling rational strategies for engineering plant metabolism to enhance traits of agricultural and nutritional value.