Pierik Group - Plant Photobiology
Plants are remarkably flexible towards their environment. They have evolved ways to deal with all sorts of extremities and are able to interpret various combinations of environmental input signals.
We study the molecular mechanisms that plants use to process information about their light environment and translate input signals into adaptive developmental responses. This is particularly important for growth at high planting densities, because light becomes scarce and is a resource that plants compete for. In addition to understanding shade avoidance responses, that guide leaves away from shade, we also investigate how plants balance these responses against responding to other environmental challenges. Molecular mechanisms of signal integration are key in our research! In addition to understanding molecular mechanisms, we also study how these plant behaviours improve (or not) plant performance, growth and yield.
More information about the photobiology team and research is available at https://plantphotobiology.com