About

Joyce Van Eck is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, and a Professor at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI). Her research focuses on biotechnological approaches to the study of gene function and crop improvement, specifically applying genetic engineering strategies to major food crops such as potato and tomato. Her laboratory's work involves developing and utilizing biotechnological techniques to design and introduce gene constructs into plant cells, enabling the recovery of plants that express these genes. Her interests include enhancing disease resistance, improving fruit characteristics, and increasing nutritional quality of crops. Van Eck's background includes a Doctorate from Cornell University, a Master of Science from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University.

Research topics

• Biology
• Genetics
• Computational biology
• Biotechnology
• Evolutionary biology
• Anatomy
• Cell biology
• Botany
• Neuroscience

Selected publications

• At the breaking point: developmental and molecular insights into Physalis grisea fruit abscission

  Frontiers in Plant Science · 2026-02-16

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Fruit abscission is an agronomically important trait that would benefit from a deeper molecular understanding. Despite a prominent, deleterious, fruit drop phenotype, fruit abscission has yet to be characterized in Physalis grisea (groundcherry). Here we established a stage-resolved timeline of P . grisea pedicel abscission zone (AZ) development to expand the general knowledge of fruit abscission. We integrated microscopic imaging of the AZ, hormone (auxin and ethylene) applications, detachment force measurements, and gene expression analysis of AZ cells across maturation to connect the role of putative regulators to cell development and separation. A strong correlation between AZ development, hormone sensitivity, and force detachment was observed. RNA-seq showed upregulation of pathways involved in cell division/expansion early in AZ development, hormone signaling and transcriptional reprogramming at the middle stage, and cell wall degradation and protective barrier genes late in the abscission process. Furthermore, MADS-box transcription factors such as the P . grisea orthologs of JOINTLESS and MACROCALYX are co-expressed during AZ differentiation, suggesting involvement in the formation of AZ cells. These results provide a molecular and cellular framework for P . grisea fruit abscission, suggesting that key regulatory features of fruit abscission are shared within the Solanaceae. Characterization of fruit abscission in P . grisea is essential for understanding this trait to guide improvements needed for its adoption as a specialty crop in the United States.

  PublisherDOI

• Virus-mediated, heritable gene editing in groundcherry (Physalis grisea)

  Frontiers in Plant Science · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Introduction Virus-induced gene editing (VIGE) provides a powerful alternative to conventional plant genome engineering by enabling in planta delivery of genome-editing reagents without repeated use of tissue culture. Here, we establish Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)–mediated VIGE as an efficient system for somatic and heritable genome editing in groundcherry ( Physalis grisea ). Methods Using Cas9-expressing plants, we targeted the visual marker gene PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) and the domestication gene CLAVATA1 (CLV1) via TRV-mediated delivery of guide RNAs. Editing efficiencies were evaluated in somatic tissues and across progeny to assess heritability. Results Targeting of PDS resulted in somatic editing frequencies of 80–95% and consistent recovery of heritable edits, with all infected plants (n = 5) producing edited progeny, including fully albino seedlings carrying frameshift mutations in all alleles. The primary Cas9-expressing line was unexpectedly tetraploid, likely due to genome duplication during tissue culture. Despite this, VIGE efficiently generated mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetra-allelic mutations, demonstrating robust editing across four alleles simultaneously. Targeting of CLV1 achieved somatic editing frequencies of up to 73%, with 60% of T0 plants producing heritable edits. Edited plants exhibited increased floral organ number and multilocular fruits, consistent with CLV1 loss-of-function phenotypes. Conclusion These results demonstrate that VIGE enables rapid, efficient, and heritable genome editing in groundcherry, even in a tetraploid context, highlighting its potential to accelerate genetic improvement and de novo domestication of underutilized crops.

  PublisherDOI

• A neofunctionalized flowering antagonist created an evolutionary contingency that channeled Solanaceae adaptation

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-02-21

  articleOpen access

  Neofunctionalization is a rare fate of gene duplication, classically defined as the acquisition of novel functions that potentiate the emergence of new traits. Rather than evolving to function autonomously, neofunctionalized genes may also remain embedded within their ancestral regulatory networks, potentially reshaping the genetic trajectories through which phenotypic change occurs. Testing this hypothesis, we leveraged a pan-genetic platform comprising ten Solanaceae species and show that a paralog of the flowering hormone florigen neofunctionalized into a flowering antagonist and was repeatedly selected during crop domestication and adaptation of wild plants across 50 million years of evolution. Independent selection of cis-regulatory and coding mutations in SELF-PRUNING 5G (SP5G) enabled rapid flowering in the wild ancestor of domesticated tomato from Central America as well as major and indigenous eggplant crop lineages domesticated in Asia and Africa. We further found that cis-regulatory sequence changes reduced SP5G expression and flowering time in wild species native to distinct environments in the Americas and Australia, relationships that we validated by genome editing. Together with similar patterns observed across diverse species and developmental networks, we propose that antagonistic neofunctionalized paralogs create evolutionary contingencies that channel adaptive trajectories across plant lineages.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Solanum pan-genetics reveals paralogues as contingencies in crop engineering

  Nature · 2025-03-05 · 57 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Pan-genomics and genome-editing technologies are revolutionizing breeding of global crops 1,2 . A transformative opportunity lies in exchanging genotype-to-phenotype knowledge between major crops (that is, those cultivated globally) and indigenous crops (that is, those locally cultivated within a circumscribed area) 3–5 to enhance our food system. However, species-specific genetic variants and their interactions with desirable natural or engineered mutations pose barriers to achieving predictable phenotypic effects, even between related crops 6,7 . Here, by establishing a pan-genome of the crop-rich genus Solanum 8 and integrating functional genomics and pan-genetics, we show that gene duplication and subsequent paralogue diversification are major obstacles to genotype-to-phenotype predictability. Despite broad conservation of gene macrosynteny among chromosome-scale references for 22 species, including 13 indigenous crops, thousands of gene duplications, particularly within key domestication gene families, exhibited dynamic trajectories in sequence, expression and function. By augmenting our pan-genome with African eggplant cultivars 9 and applying quantitative genetics and genome editing, we dissected an intricate history of paralogue evolution affecting fruit size. The loss of a redundant paralogue of the classical fruit size regulator CLAVATA3 ( CLV3 ) 10,11 was compensated by a lineage-specific tandem duplication. Subsequent pseudogenization of the derived copy, followed by a large cultivar-specific deletion, created a single fused CLV3 allele that modulates fruit organ number alongside an enzymatic gene controlling the same trait. Our findings demonstrate that paralogue diversifications over short timescales are underexplored contingencies in trait evolvability. Exposing and navigating these contingencies is crucial for translating genotype-to-phenotype relationships across species.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Engineering compact <scp> <i>Physalis peruviana</i> </scp> (goldenberry) to promote its potential as a global crop

  Plants People Planet · 2025-12-04 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Societal Impact Statement Goldenberry ( Physalis peruviana ) produces sweet, nutritionally rich berries, yet like many minor crops, is cultivated in limited geographical regions and has not been a focus of breeding programs for trait enhancement. Leveraging knowledge of plant architecture‐related traits from related species, we used CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing to generate a compact ideotype to advance future breeding efforts and agricultural production. Goldenberry growers will benefit from these compact versions because it optimizes per plot yield, facilitating larger scale production to meet rising consumer popularity and demand.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• PlantGENE: Advancing plant transformation through community engagement

  The Plant Journal · 2025-02-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Plant transformation is an important part of plant research and crop improvement. Transformation methods remain complex, labor intensive, and inefficient. PlantGENE is a community of scientists from academia, industry, non-profit research institutes, and government organizations working to improve plant transformation. PlantGENE hosts virtual training, interactive webinars, and a website with career opportunities, directories, and more. The plant science community has shown great interest and support for PlantGENE.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of plant tissue culture parameters on the ploidy level of <i>Physalis grisea, Solanum lycopersicum</i> , and <i>Solanum prinophyllum</i> regenerants

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-05-03 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Plants regenerated from seedling explants (hypocotyls and cotyledons) of the Solanaceae family members Physalis grisea (groundcherry), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), and Solanum prinophyllum (forest nightshade) were used to determine the in vitro culture parameters that contribute to the incidence in polyploidization of tissue culture-derived plants (regenerants) from these species. We examined the possible effects of zeatin concentration in the plant regeneration medium, explant source, and species. Plants were grown to maturity under greenhouse conditions, pollen was collected and germinated. Flow cytometry analysis verified the utility of the pollen germination method for determining differences in ploidy, which was based on the number of pollen tubes produced with one tube representing diploid and two indicating polyploid. As for zeatin concentration, we assessed the effect of our standard method of initiation on medium containing 2 mg/l followed by 1 mg/l 2 weeks after culture initiation in comparison with 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/l throughout the culture lifetime. There were no major correlations for zeatin concentration on ploidy status across the species except for plants regenerated from S. lycopersicum hypocotyl explants where the percentage of polyploid regenerants increased with increasing concentrations. As for species and explant effects, P. grisea plants regenerated from hypocotyl explants had the highest percentage of polyploid plants at 81% compared to 43% and 35% for S. lycopersicum and S. prinophyllum , respectively. From cotyledons, 8% of S. lycopersicum and 20% of S. prinophyllum were polyploid. A comparison with P. grisea could not be made because cotyledon explants do not regenerate on zeatin-containing medium. The results indicated the incidence of polyploidization cannot be generalized for zeatin concentration, however, an influence of explant type and species was observed. Effects of increased ploidy on plant morphology were primarily larger flower and seed size; however, no significant differences were observed in plant or fruit size.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Correction to: Development of plant regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation methodology for Physalis grisea

  Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) · 2025-12-29

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  0 0 7 / s 1 1 2 4 0 -0 1 9 -0 1 5 8 2 -xWe learned that the species we received as seeds and have been working with is not Physalis pruinosa.It is Physalis grisea.Wherever the terms Physalis pruinosa and P. pruinosa were mentioned in the article (including in its title), they should have read Physalis grisea and P. grisea, resp.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• PlantGENE report on panel discussion: advancing plant biotechnology in Africa

  In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant · 2025-03-03 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract This report provides an overview of the content and data collected from the “Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities Plant Transformation Research in Africa” panel discussion. Organized by PlantGENE, this event brought together scientists and stakeholders across the globe to examine the complex challenges and emerging opportunities in plant transformation research in laboratories across Africa. The discussion, rooted in insights from a panel of six leading scientists, highlights critical issues including restrictive regulatory environments, prohibitive costs, and the inconsistent availability of essential research materials. Additionally, the pervasive “brain drain” phenomenon, where skilled researchers leave the continent for better opportunities, exacerbates the difficulties faced by African scientists. Despite these challenges, the report also identifies significant advancements, particularly in the growing recognition of African leadership within universities and national agricultural research systems (NARS). These institutions, supported by highly skilled faculty and motivated graduate students, are producing high-quality research that contributes to global scientific knowledge. The panelists emphasized the necessity of creating an environment that encourages African scientists to remain on the continent and address local challenges through innovative research. Strengthening intra-African networks and fostering collaborations with the global scientific community are proposed as essential strategies to achieve this. This report underscores the critical need for substantial investments from both global and African organizations, working with African governments, to support these efforts. Furthermore, it calls for science-based decision-making and fair regulatory frameworks to align with unique opportunities and risks associated with technological advancements in Africa. This paper details the observations of six panelists and analyzes the results of attendee surveys in order to document these challenges and opportunities while advocating for sustained investment and strategic partnerships to build a thriving bioeconomy across Africa.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Engineering compact <i>Physalis peruviana</i> (goldenberry) to promote its potential as a global crop

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-08-19

  preprintOpen access

  SOCIETAL STATEMENT EN - Goldenberry ( Physalis peruviana ) produces sweet, nutritionally-rich berries, yet like many minor crops, is cultivated in limited geographical regions and has not been a focus of breeding programs for trait enhancement. Leveraging knowledge of plant architecture-related traits from related species, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to generate a compact ideotype to advance future breeding efforts and agricultural production. Goldenberry growers will benefit from these compact versions because it optimizes per plot yield, facilitating larger-scale production to meet rising consumer popularity and demand. SP - La uchuva ( Physalis peruviana ) produce frutos dulces y ricos en nutrientes, pero, igual que muchos cultivos minoritarios, se cultiva en zonas geográficas limitadas y no ha sufrido un proceso de mejora. Aprovechando conocimientos sobre rasgos relacionados con la arquitectura vegetal de especies relacionadas, hemos usado edición génica mediante CRISPR/Cas9 para generar un ideotipo compacto para promover futuros esfuerzos en su mejora y en producción agrícola. Los productores de uchuva se podrán beneficiar de estas versiones compactas ya que optimiza el rendimiento por parcela, facilitando así la producción a una mayor escala para cubrir la creciente popularidad y demanda de los consumidores.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Zachary B. Lippman

  Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  54 shared

• Kerry Swartwood

  Ithaca College

  24 shared

• Yiping Qi

  University of Maryland, College Park

  22 shared

• Michael C. Schatz

  Johns Hopkins University

  21 shared

• Ke Jiang

  Chongqing Public Health Medical Center

  21 shared

• Soon Ju Park

  Gyeongsang National University

  20 shared

• Fay‐Wei Li

  Cornell University

  20 shared

• Gina Robitaille

  Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

  19 shared