We employ translational genomics and transcriptomics, with particular emphasis on analyzes based on high-throughput sequencing (NGS, TGS), as well as genetic transformation and gene editing techniques to identify and study of the functions and mechanisms of gene regulation related to selected developmental processes and response to environmental stresses in plants

The object of our research are both a cultivated species – barley (Hordeum vulgare) and a model species – Arabidopsis thaliana. The main research material is the TILLING population of barley (HorTILLUS) developed in our laboratory, as well as Arabidopsis mutants and CRISPR / Cas lines of both species.

The detailed research problems of the team include the following issues:

  • searching for genes controlling the mechanisms of tolerance to drought stress and other abiotic stresses related to climate change (high temperature, flooding, salinity) in barley
  • explanation of the functions of selected ABA signaling regulators as well as the metabolism of brassinosteroids, strigolactones and jasmonates in response to environmental stresses
  • functional analysis of genes related to the metabolism of brassinosteroids and strigolactones in terms of their role in plant growth and development
  • identification and analysis of gene functions related to DNA damage response (DDR), including changes caused by environmental stresses
  • research on the molecular basis of root hair development in barley
  • research on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms controlling plant regeneration processes in in vitro culture, with particular emphasis on the process of microspore embryogenesis in barley

The presented research topics are consistent with the Priority Research Areas indicated in the Development Strategy of the University of Silesia (POB3, POB5) and with the most important research areas in the discipline of biological sciences, indicated in the Development Strategy of the Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection of the University of Silesia for the years 2020-2025 (research areas of the discipline 1, 2, 3).

CURRENTLY WE ARE PERFORMING RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF FOLLOWING SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS:

BARISTA: Advanced tools for breeding BARley for Intensive and SusTainable Agriculture under climate change scenarios (ERA-NET COFUND SusCrop HORIZON2020)

Investigation of the role of strigolactones in response to drought using a barley mutant collection (BEETHOVEN LIFE 1 Programme, NCN and DFG)

A DREAM of NAC – Molecular mechanism of transcriptional adaptation to DNA stress (BEETHOVEN LIFE 1 Programme, NCN and DFG)

INSIGHT: Investigation of the role of strigolactones in response to drought using a barley mutant collection (OPUS, NCN)

Identification and functional analysis of genes involved in brassinosteroid metabolism in barley and defining a role of the hormones in regulating reaction to water scarcity through transcriptome profiling and determining metabolite accumulation (OPUS, NCN)

QUEST: Quest for climate-smart barley – the multilayered genomic study of CBC function in ABA