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Please visit the
following quick
online tour to Ali lab or scroll down to read about our current
projects.
Research: My lab investigates
plant-microbe, and microbe-microbe interactions with an ultimate goal of developing eco-friendly,
economical and sustainable pest management methods. My research
program has integrated basic and applied aspects, and is active in
translational research. Basic research in my lab is focused on
understanding molecular and genetic mechanisms of how plants responds
to microbes in the environment, and how microbes affect plant
physiology. We have also initiated a project on understanding
the effects of microbiomes of Florida-native plants
using holistic system-level approaches. We address
these questions using a variety of conventional, molecular and cell
biological, genetic, and high throughput genomics, transcriptomics
(RNA-Seq) and metabolomics (LC-MS/MS)
approaches. The ultimate goal of
these studies is to gain a better understanding of the tripartite
interaction of plant-pathogens-beneficial microbes, and to identify
and deploy pest management methods that are sustainable and safe for
consumers. For applied research, my lab currently focuses
on developing and developing and using genome-editing tools
(CRISPR/cas9) for producing pest resistant crops. In
addition, my lab also investigates synthesis and use of antimicrobial
nanoparticles and bioactive metabolites of beneficial microbes for
controlling plant pests. In addition to independent research, my lab
participates in collaborative projects including international researchers.
I have also worked on
understanding Ca2+-signaling and pre-mRNA splicing in
plants using molecular and cell biology approaches.
Teaching
and outreach: I have taught an Undergrad level cell biology
course, and have participated in delivering invited lectures in
reproductive biology, Molecular and General Genetics. At UF, I
recently developed a bi-lingual (English and Spanish) online course
for managing plant diseases, which in addition to more than a hundred
U.S. students, was also attended by students from Canada, Latin
America, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I also recruit
and supervise Dissertation and Thesis research of Ph.D. students, M.S.
students. My lab hosts post-doctoral Associates and international
visiting scholars. In addition, we always cherished hosting K – 12 and undergrad students
in my lab.
Current
Projects.
- Plant
and fungal genome editing using CRISPR/cas-9 nucleases.
- Investigating the tripartite interaction
of plants with pathogenic and beneficial microbes.
- Synthesis
and deployment of biorationals and nanoparticles for pest
management.
- Basic research in plant-microbe interaction
using Arabidopsis, tomatoes, citrus and tobacco along with their
associated fungal, oomycete and bacterial pathogens
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