Stress is any environmental factor (both abiotic and biotic) that is unfavourable for plant growth and survival. In most cases, stress induces adaptive responses, which increase the probability of surviving the unfavourable conditions. We wish to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these responses when plants acclimate to their new environment. In the long term, such knowledge will be vital for eventually altering the stress tolerance and growth characteristics of selected plants. A range of plant stress responses is elucidated within our UPSC program, including adaptations to extreme temperatures (mainly low temperatures), high light (photoinhibition) and nutrient limitations. In a new project we also address patogen interactions. In many of these situations oxidative stress is an important component. Repair mechanisms involved in stress damage control and recovery are also studied. The new techniques of functional genomics open up new and exciting possibilities to study the interaction of plants with their environment.

 

 

Per Gardeström Regulation of plant metabolism
Petter Gustafsson Structure, function and regulation of the light antenna in cyanobacteria

Pia Harryson Intrinsically disordered proteins in plants
Vaughan Hurry Metabolic acclimation to sub-optimal environments
Stefan Jansson The photosynthetic antenna proteins and functional genomics of aspen leaves
Jan Karlsson Functional genomics of pathogen interactions with poplar

Stanislaw Karpinski Light perception in regulation of biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants
Gunnar Öquist Stress and adaptation mechanisms in photosynthesis

Marianne Sommarin Molecular stress response mechanisms
Gunnar Wingsle Active oxygen metabolism and MYB-transcription factors