I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in plants, with a main focus on the relevance of ion homeostasis under these stress conditions in the plant cell. It is known that sodium is accumulated in the vacuoles to overcome salt stress, but how this process takes place still remains unknown. Combining molecular genetics and bioinformatic approaches, my aim is to determine the process by which sodium is introduced into the vacuole.
To characterize plant proteins, I use Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism and yeast for heterologous expression. Since my final objective is to apply my discoveries to the field, I also work with Hordeum vulgare (barley), a cereal that is highly tolerant to saline soils.
