Decoding Guard cells Signaling Networks
Stomatal behavior is central to plant water use, carbon balance, and stress resilience. Our research investigates how guard cells integrate internal cues with environmental signals to regulate gas exchange and whole-plant physiology. We also explore guard-cell-derived long-distance signals that influence other tissues. By combining guard-cell-specific transcriptomics, interactome mapping and detailed physiological measurements, we identify regulatory modules that link stomatal signaling with growth, adaptation, and stress responses. Together, these insights illustrate how local decisions made by guard cells scale up to affect overall plant performance, offering new opportunities to enhance water-use efficiency and stress tolerance in model species and in citrus.
In collaboration with Prof. Nir Sade (TAU)