We investigate how plants respond to and interact with both biotic and abiotic environmental cues. Our research is driven by fundamental curiosity, with a focus on uncovering core principles of RNA biology and its regulatory roles in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. In particular, we are interested in RNA modifications, especially N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A), and how these chemical marks influence RNA stability, processing, and translation during environmental responses.
We also explore how post-translational modifications of RNA-binding proteins regulate RNA metabolism. By studying how protein modifications alter RNA–protein interactions, we aim to understand how dynamic changes in RNA-binding protein activity control processes such as splicing, transport, and decay under different environmental conditions.
To address these questions, we employ unbiased, discovery-driven approaches, including forward genetic screens and global sequencing of messenger RNAs, to identify key regulators and pathways. Our experimental systems include crop plants such as rice and potato, alongside model species like Arabidopsis thaliana and various tobacco species, enabling us to integrate fundamental insights with translational relevance. One of our major research directions is to elucidate the role of m⁶A modification machinery in plant stress responses, as well as to dissect how protein modifications influence RNA–protein dynamics in shaping adaptive gene expression programs.