Rucha Karnik comes from an Agri-biotech industry background. She obtained her PhD in Human membrane biology from the University of Leeds (2011), followed by a postdoctoral studies researching Plant systems at the University of Glasgow. She currently holds a prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2016-2025).

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate change have a negative impact on crop health and productivity, thus increasing scarcity for food and limiting the availability of agricultural land and water resources world-wide. Aimed at mitigating climate challenges, research in Karnik laboratory addresses how do plants grow?. We study molecular mechanisms underpinning immediate responses to multifactorial enivironmental cues that affect growth, immunity and developmental processes. We investigate stomata – the microscopic pores on plants that uptake carbon dioxide for photosynthesis in exchange of water loss. Our focus is on study carbon dioxide sensing mechanisms in plants and their impact on stomatal behaviours. This research crucial for developing fundamental understanding of plant-environment interactions under climate pressures, an essential first step to ensuring food and water security into the future.

We use multi-disciplinary research platforms including cell biology, protein biochemistry, mass spectrometry, crystallography, live cell imaging, plant physiology and stomatal physiology in our research. Karnik lab research uses model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Developmental studies are carried out using the Begonia species. Research findings are extended to study crop plant Cucumber sativus, through international collaborations.

We develop new research tools in molecular biology, protein-protein interaction studies, plant membrane trafficking and plant protein biochemistry to aid research in plant systems.

Going beyond research in the laboratory, Rucha leads a cross-disciplinary impact and innovation project called Sci-Seedlets to inspire the next generation of plant scientists. Sci-Seedlets has built a scheme that uses cutting-edge educational formats providing tasters for plant research. Through work in the classroom, Sci-Seedlets supports primary schools, teachers and members of the public with plant science education by exploring topics including ‘how do plants grow?’, ‘how do plants defend against pathogens?‘ and ‘how to plants respond to their environment?’. Sci-Seedlets resources are now being expanded for use in secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of plant science.

Each year Karnik lab wellcomes undergraduate and post graduate student interns, providing opportunities to engage with our research and to promote interest in plant science.