Our research group investigates how plants reulate their water status to thrive and survive under stressful conditions. 

Fast drying of farmland caused by hot, dry air is becoming increasingly frequent as the climate changes, posing a significant threat to food security. Understanding plant stress responses is critical to breeding more stress tolerant, water use efficient crops.

Plant responses to drought and low humidity are governed by the abiotic stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA). Using ABACUS2 sensors for ABA (developed with Prof Alexander Jones and Mathieu Grangé-Guermente at SLCU), I discovered endogenous ABA patterns (Rowe et al 2023), that vary depending on which stress the plant is undergoing. Our group uses these patterns to understand how different plant cell types control water relations.

We develop and use novel technologies, and methods to answer this physiological puzzle. Prospective lab members with interests in plant water relations, physiology, synthetic biology, biosensor imaging, image analysis, microcontrolers, 3D printers and hardware design are encouraged to get in touch.