Biography
My research focuses on plant molecular biology, evolutionary developmental biology and plant–insect interactions using various approaches involving functional genomics, biochemistry, and biotechnology. I have extensively used the bryophyte model system Physcomitrium patens to investigate mechanisms underlying land plant evolution and associated developmental programs. My work has identified important regulators of gametophore and leaf development, including SCARECROW and SHORT-LEAF, a conserved tandem direct repeat-protein which acts through secretory short peptide. I have also contributed to the development of Agrobacterium-mediated mutagenesis approaches for functional genomic studies in mosses. My recent studies have explored the diversification of MSL proteins in early land plants and demonstrated the importance of intrinsically disordered regions in stress-responsive functions. I have also worked extensively on insect digestive enzymes, α-amylase inhibitors, and host–pest interactions to develop sustainable crop protection strategies. Together, my research aims to address both fundamental and applied questions in plant sciences.
