Our Research
Control of medicinal cannabis flowering time
Medical cannabis is expected to become a major crop in Israel in the next few years. The active compounds responsible for its medicinal properties are formed within its trichomes, which develop at high concentrations on the bracts of female flowers. The only way to induce its flowering (on long days) requires rather expensive agro-technical solutions, such as stress by low light intensity. The purpose of this study is to decipher the genetic mechanism governing flower induction. In addition, we aim to identify some the genetic elements that control flowering time.
Cut flowers quality improvement in warm climates
The production of quality cut flowers is a growing challenge, especially in light of the global climate changes that are reflected in weather's variability and unpredictability. High temperatures have a negative effect on many quality parameters of cut flowers, such as color intensity, volatile production, size, and weight. Although there is a vast knowledge in how temperature affects pigment accumulation and odor production, little is known on its effect on flower size. The purpose of this study is to understand the effect of high temperatures on buds' and flowers' size and development. Our scientific findings aim to improve the required quality of flowers required by the market.
Viral infection mechanisms of gametophytes and seeds
Much progress has been made in understanding the epidemiology of vector-borne viruses, and this knowledge has been used to develop effective integrated virus-management programs. However, not much is known about viruses that survive, infect and spread through their host plant's reproductive organs. Knowledge of the mechanisms by which viruses are transmitted by gametophytes (and gametes) and how they affect gametophyte and gamete function is fairly limited in plant–virus systems. We study the mechanism(s) by which pollen and seed-borne viruses interact with male and female gametophytes, as well as with seed parts, and how these viruses infect the plant’s reproductive components.
Control of flowering time in Hydrangea macrophylla: morphological and physiological characterization of flowering and dormancy mechanisms
Despite the high economical value of this species, there is still a gap in our understanding of its flowering and dormancy mechanisms. This hinders our ability to exploit its high potential as a crop in Israel. In our study, we want to assess the physiological aspects related with the stages of flowering of this species. In addition to the usage of morphological and physiological traits, we will be developing morphological markers to have a better understanding of the dormancy period of this plant.
Production of Chrysanthemum with autonomous flowering mechanism using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology
Chrysanthemum spp. are one of the major ornamental crops that are distributed worldwide with high economic value. All commercial species are short-photoperiod-flowering plants. In our research, we want to generate high-quality commercial chrysanthemum lines that do not require short days for flowering by knocking-out two genes. In order to do that, we will be implementing CRISPR technology.
Transgene-free genome edited plants
T-DNA exclusion is a mandatory step towards the regulation of final cultivars as non-GMO. In vegetative propagated plants such as fruit trees or ornamentals, exclusion of the T-DNA that induced the mutagenesis is a great challenge. The objective in our project is to develop a molecular technology for T-DNA excision without the need to cross-outs. Development of this technology will pave the way for integrating genome editing procedures in accelerated breeding programs without the final product being specified as GMO. The approach is to design a Cas9 with the ability to induce DNA double strand breaks outside Cas9 recognition site, which will allow the cleavage of the T-DNA regardless of its genomic context.