Plant biologists in MCDB study mechanisms controlling plant growth and development in response to internal and environmental signals, plant interactions with other organisms, biochemistry of fruit ripening, and yeast fermentation. These studies focus on gene networks controlling hormonal regulation of seed development and stress responses, browning disorders in fruit, and biosynthesis of volatiles by yeast strains that are commonly used for commercial wine and beer production. Members of the plant biology group use diverse approaches including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and genomics, and RNA profiling to study model plants such as Arabidopsis. In addition, MCDB's plant biologists collaborate locally with researchers in EEMB, as well as with numerous laboratories around the world.
