Ongoing Research in Plant - Microbial Interactions
There are many investigations ongoing in Charles Research group into how microbes can improve plant growth in a variety of ways. Recent research spans topics including enhanced nitrogen fixation, biocontrol of fungi, and ACC deaminase enrichment. Some more details of individual projects can be read below.
Current Postdoctoral candidate Doyin Adigun's research investigates the biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens against Fusarium oxysporum, a major fungal pathogen of tomato crops, to elucidate the genetic and functional mechanisms underlying microbial antagonisms. By developing eco-friendly, resilient crop protection strategies, his work advances sustainable agriculture and environmental health.
Chaeyun, a current research assistant in the Charles Lab is working on plant growth promoting Pseudomonas strains. Her work focuses on characterizing the molecular basis of plant growth promotion in Pseudomonas strains MBI-RS1 and MBI-RS2. She studies gene expression patterns associated with plant beneficial traits and integrate genes into other Pseudomonas strains to evaluate their function and contribution to plant-microbe interactions.
Leaf color at 28 DAI in tomato plants: Uninoculated (A), P. fluorescens (B), P. fluorescens + F. oxysporum (C), F. oxysporum + P. fluorescens (D), F. oxysporum (E).