I teach at 5-6 courses each year on undergraduate, graduate and PhD level on subjects around molecular biology, metabolism, bioinformatics and international regulations on GMO, genetic resources and plant breeding. Besides this, I supervise undergraduate, graduate and PhD student projects as main supervisor as well as postdocs.
My research focus is on the genetic regulation of transitions from vegetative to reproductive and storage organ development including the molecular biology and biochemistry of storage products as starch, oil and protein. Another research focus is the development of gene editing technology from a molecular tools as well as a plant cell perspective. Project topics include:
Transcription factor regulation of storage compound accumulation in sink tissues as seeds and tubers. With the aim of understanding genetic circuits and motifs regulating the formation of our major food components.
Genetic and environment interactions affecting tuberization and sink development in potato, with the aim to improve potato cultivation under long days and/or heat stress.
Elucidating starch biosynthesis in potato and utilizing findings for novel starch qualities. Improving starch for industrial and food purposes and in particular to reduce the need for downstream chemical modifications.
Plant architecture, flowering and seed setting in faba bean (Vicia faba), with an applied aim to find breeding directions for more compact growth and synchronous seed development.
Production of insect pheromone precursors and wax esters as part of the oil in seeds of Camelina sativa, with the aim of providing a foundation for environmentally benign pest management.
Development of gene editing technology, with the aim to improve the functionality and efficiency for an extended number of crops.
My research together with collaborators has resulted in the formation of two plant biotech companies. In addition, the research has resulted in ten patent applications filed since I started at SLU. Potato and Camelina events with altered starch and oil quality respectively are in multiplication and test production with commercial entities.
At present, I have spent a bit less than half of my professional life academia and a bit more than half in company research with plant breeding and development companies.
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