- Department
- Email Address
- [email protected]
- Research Areas
- Research Keywords
- Research Description
My research group investigates stress on plants at the cellular and sub-cellular levels. The objective is to identify what changes occur in plant cells upon exposure to stress and which of these changes aid the plant to increase its tolerance to the stress. In particular, my lab focuses on cultivated grapes used in the Wine Industry in Ontario.
- Research Summary
My research group investigates biotic and abiotic stress on plants at the cellular and sub-cellular biochemical and molecular levels. The objective is to identify what changes occur in plant cells upon exposure to stress and which of these changes aid the plant to increase its tolerance to the stress.A major focus currently is the investigation of freezing stress tolerance in grapevines. Winters in Ontario can cause substantial damage to the cultivated grapes used in the Wine Industry, whereas wild grapes have no problems. We try to find out what the molecular basis is for this phenomenon. The ultimate goal is to use this knowledge to improve freezing and drought stress tolerance in the cultivated grapes.
- Techniques Used
Bioinformatic analyses, RT-PCR, quantitative transient transactivation assay.
- Locations of international collaborators
United States Department of Agriculture, Iowa State University, North Carolina State University (USA); University of Toulouse (France).
- Links