Our work

Examples of the work in the Plant Stress group include:

• The effects of solar ultraviolet-B radiation on plants. Also, how the defence responses of plants to UV-B can be used to improve crop quality by the horticultural industry (plant architecture, flavour, colour).
• The mechanisms of Zinc uptake by plants, and its ability to improve the nutritional value of feed and food.
• The toxicological aspects of wood ash (biofuel combustion residue), but also highlighting the usefulness of this material for plant growth enhancement.
• The physiological traits of aquatic plants, and how these relate to the invasiveness of specific alien species in Ireland.

The group uses a variety of plant species to address research questions. However, we have particularly extensive experience in using aquatic Lemna species to address questions related to stress, toxicology and remediation.

Funding for our research is provided by a range of organisations, including SFI, IRC, EPA and COFORD.

We strongly welcome enquiries of prospective collaborators (industry and/or academia in Ireland or abroad) who wish to explore basic or applied research questions with us.

We also welcome enquiries by funded postgraduate students or post-doctoral fellows who are interested in carrying out a project in our group.

If you want to learn more, feel free to contact me.