Description of research and teaching

Plants respond to their changing environment promptly; for example, they close and open their epidermal pores known as stomata. These microscopic openings set the stage for gas exchange and water transpiration but can simultaneously act as passages for microbial invaders.

Pathogen-triggered stomatal closure is one of the fastest defence responses in plants. During a pathogen attack, the flanking guard cells are able to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and adjust the stomatal aperture accordingly. Stomatal immunity requires a complex interplay of signalling events, such as intracellular kinase cascades, calcium signals and extracellular burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

My research focuses on the pathogen-related signals and stomatal responses during biotic stress. I’m particularly interested in the interplay of cell membrane receptors and the molecular interactions involved in the first line of defence in plants.

Research interests

In my current research project, I’m using the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana to study biotic stress responses of stomata. My major interests include the leucine-rich receptor kinases in pathogen-related signalling events. The main goals are to confirm the roles of putative receptors in stomatal immunity as well as characterize novel interactors to improve our understanding of the plant-pathogen-interactions.