The Biotechnology lab studies the interactions of plants, fungi and bacteria with the environment. Particularly we study their response to either biotic or abiotic stresses. Regarding biotic stresses we are particularly interested in the development of methods for early disease detection, as well as the biological control of various plant pathogens. Regarding abiotic stresses we study the response of living organisms to dehydration stresses caused by frost, drought or saltiness. The biological ice nucleation phenomenon, is in the epicentre of our research activities. According to that phenomenon bacteria, plants, fungi, lichens and various other organisms produce ice nucleation proteins, that due to their molecular structure cause freezing of water at warm subzero temperatures. We therefore are interested not only in identifying ice nucleating organisms and cloning their corresponding genes, but also in finding novel applications for these ice nucleators, that will help protect or restore the environment.
The following, national and international, public and private bodies, are thankfully acknowledged for funding our research:
The following, national and international, public and private bodies, are thankfully acknowledged for funding our research: