Our group seeks to understand fundamental principles that govern the development, stress response, and evolution of plants. We use a broad range of approaches including molecular biology, classical morphology, and experimental physiology. We aim to extend basic knowledge of plant biology, while also developing applications of these learned biological principles to advance sustainable agriculture and forest conservation.

Plant biophysics

The exchange of water for CO2 to synthesize sugars in plant leaves is the most fundamental process of terrestrial life. Traits related to plant structure, biochemistry, and physiology evolved to optimize this exchange within each environment. We seek to understand the fundamental physical limits to plant form and function to explain patterns of adaptation and acclimation. Exploring these limits takes lab members to the High Sierra treeline, the tops of the tallest conifers, and the Arctic Circle.

Study of plant water relations

Water is essential to life. Our focus is to understand intra- and intercellular transport processes in plants from the perspective of fluid dynamics, chemistry, and biology. We are currently investigating hydration through leaf surfaces (absorption of fog and rain) across many plant species, and its importance to plant stress recovery and the summer condition of both orchard and forest trees.

Study of plant non-structural carbohydrates

Carbohydrate metabolism constitutes the major physiological activity allowing plant function. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) constitute a dynamic pool of plant energy resources that fluctuate in response to environmental conditions and plant phenological status. We aim to understand physiological and biological activity of plant NSC management, across spatial and temporal scales from cells to whole organisms and from seconds to years.

Biologically inspired agricultural innovation - Carbohydrate Observatory

Translation of basic knowledge to applied technologies can be a game-changer. We use a citizen science approach to involve stakeholders in our research of carbohydrate management by trees to both accelerate research discoveries and provide an interface between researchers and orchard managers. Together we are building a new tool to determine orchard’s health and physiological activity to facilitate and guide agricultural practices to conserve water, reduce nitrogen input, and better predict yield potential and harvest dates.

We will collect the leaves when they mature, so check back for results. For more information contact Alana Chin: arochin@ucdavis.edu