I am a molecular biologist, with experience in understanding plants responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. I have worked with multiple plants (rice, tomato, tobacco and Arabidopsis) during my masters and Ph.D. and currently with confifers (Norway spruce and scots pine) during my post-doctoral research. In my current research project, I investigate why different plants react very differently under radiation stress, even under the same standerdise exposure and growth conditions, by comparing model radio-tolerant species (Arabidopsis) and and radio-sensitive conifer Norway spruce. Comparative study of the differential effect of gamma radiation on plant growth and physiology, protective pathways, molecular effects such as DNA damage and repair as well as overall transcription in response to radiation stress will help to elucidate adverse effects radiation stress on plants and their coping mechanisms in naturally elevated radiation zones and well as accidental cases due to anthropologic activites.
Group leader: Proff. Jorunn E. Olsen