Our lab aims to advance understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions. We tackle this challenge by developing and incorporating cutting-edge genomics & imaging technologies tailored for studying plant-microbe interactions. Our lab will (1) characterize the responses and functions of both plant and microbial cells at the single-cell and spatial resolution, (2) link single-cell plant-microbe interactions with holobiont traits, and (3) precisely manipulate cells in the holobiont to confer desirable traits.

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How do cells communicate within and between organisms? This question drives our research on plants and microbes. Plant–microbe co-evolution has produced diverse genetic programs and molecular innovations, many of which remain poorly understood. Our lab investigates the genetic programs in both partners that shape their interactions, and we develop tools to manipulate these programs to uncover underlying principles and to steer interaction outcomes. Through this work, we seek to advance fundamental biology and enable new strategies for plant breeding.