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The DeFalco Lab at Western University studies how plants sense and respond to their environment at the molecular level. The lab is a part of the Department of Biology and focuses on decoding receptor signaling pathways to understand how plants interact with their environment. Like animals, plants rely on cell surface receptors to perceive external stimuli, with receptor kinases (RKs) playing a crucial role in recognizing self and non-self derived ligands that control plant life aspects. The research uses a variety of molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to study the cellular signal transduction pathways downstream of RKs, particularly focusing on receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) that are key components in RK complexes. The goal is to advance knowledge of plant cell signaling and stress biology by deciphering pathways connecting RKs to downstream physiological processes. The lab is also interested in the evolution of kinase signaling in plants, the molecular basis of kinase-substrate interactions, and applying this knowledge to engineer novel traits for improved responses to environmental challenges.
Western University • London, ON, Canada
Leading research on plant signaling pathways.
Streams include Archaeology and Bioarchaeology, and Sociocultural Anthropology.