Generating fundamental scientific understanding of plant biology thereby enabling humans to responsibly use the resources of our planet and protect its future.
Research into the mechanics of ion transport and membrane traffic focuses on stomata to develop effective strategies benefitting plant water relations and enhancing photosynthesis and plant yields.
Research into the mechanics of blue light signalling focusing on plant responses for optimising photosynthetic productivity as well as yielding new tools for optogenetic applications and fluorescence imaging.
Knowledge of the mechanism of UV light detection by plants builds on discoveries of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 and presents opportunities to enhance plant resilience through bioengineering of the UVR8 structure.
Understanding how plants use environmental cues to measure daylength and coordinate flowering has major implications for agriculture in a changing global environment.
Subnuclear domains and chromatin provide an excellent platform for environmental signal integration. TANDEM ZINC-FINGER/PLUS3 (TZP) is a transcriptional regulator integrating light and temperature signals and a promising target for engineering plant resilience in response to climate change.
Addressing mechanics of plant growth and development affecting biomass production, water use and pathogen immunity in response to climate challenges.
Understanding diurnal-to-seasonal plant temperature sensing, integration and memory, to develop predictive mathematical models and identify breeding targets for climate-resilient crops.
Viral and bacterial diseases impact on plant growth and development, yet bacterial metabolism may be harnessed as disease-suppressing compounds with immediate and practical applications.