Understanding how symbiotic (beneficial) associations between plants and microbes develop is an important biological question that is particularly relevant in modern agriculture and economy.
Our laboratory seeks to understand and manipulate the molecular mechanism controlling symbiotic associations between plants and microbes.
We transfer information gained from model plants such as Medicago truncatula to crops such as soybean, rice and corn in order to take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities offered by these beneficial associations to our agriculture.
Our goal is to use microbes better to maintain the sustainability of our agriculture by protecting the environment over the long term and reducing costs for food, feed and biofuel production.