For further details see:
University of Essex webpage

Robyn Emmerson

PhD project:
Epigenetic effects on Arabidopsis thaliana grown under Fluctuating light 

This project aims to characterise the photosynthetic phenotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana acclimated to different light regimes, aiming to mimic the responses seen in the field. Understanding the potential epigenetic mechanisms driving the distinct and consistent phenotypes observed could provide new gene targets to consider in breeding programs.

• Due to the constantly changing climate, understanding the driving force behind acclimation to make plants more tolerant could help improve productivity and contribute to global food security
• Light acclimation in known to result in both morphological and physiological changes, but until recently many studies investigating the effects of fluctuating light have utilised a series of square waves which is not representative of fluctuating light as experienced in nature. Understanding the effects of fluctuating light is essential when considering improvements for field grown crops

 
Research interests:

• Molecular mechanisms driving acclimation, photosynthetic physiology, and plant ecophysiology
• Stress activation of transposable elements
• Epigenetic control of stress induced genes

 
Current projects:

• Epigenetic effects of fluctuating light
• The effects of epidermal patterning factor mutant on tobacco physiology, and its combined effect with photosynthetic mutants