Dr Lara Donaldson

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Location
South Africa
International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
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Departments

Plant Biology and Biotechnology
Crop Improvement

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Focus Areas / Specialisation

    Molecular biology, Biochemistry, Genetics
    Plant science, Plant biotechnology

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Bio

I am a plant molecular biologists currently working on two projects both of which aim to improve food security. The first project looks at the molecular mechanism behind salt tolerance in plants. Briefly, I am looking at whether the plant growth hormone, auxin, plays a role in salt tolerance. The second project characterizes the microbiome of sorghum in Africa. In this project I am characterizing the microbial species that the plant recruits into its root zone in order to improve plant performance. In this project different sorghum varieties, plant pathogens and weeds and farming practices are being considered to provide a holistic understanding of how the microbiome is influenced by the plant, farmer and environment.