Centered on plant science innovation, this pillar integrates a vibrant community of scientists dedicated to advancing our understanding of plant (and fungal) systems to address pressing challenges in agriculture, forestry and food security. Researchers in this pillar study plant biotic and abiotic signaling for resilience, photosynthesis, and nutrient storage during development, as well as ecosystem genomics by integrating interdisciplinary technologies such as single-cell sequencing, single-molecule biophysics, super-resolution imaging, structural biology, population genetics, machine learning, and systems biology. Our teams investigate a wide spectrum of species, leveraging genetic and molecular insights to identify traits that drive productivity and resilience. Research groups within this pillar employ quantitative biology, synthetic protein engineering, AI-aided de novo design, CRISPR-based genome editing, and emerging concepts in plant molecular biology, including biomolecular condensation, to deepen our understanding of how plants respond to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Through in-depth research on genome evolution, photosynthetic efficiency, dynamic transcriptional regulation, and biomolecular assembly in developmental and signaling processes, we collaborate with top agricultural and forestry research institutes and industry partners both locally and internationally. These partnerships ensure our discoveries are translated into sustainable agricultural solutions. Our researchers are supported by precision-controlled walk-in growth chambers, cutting-edge structural biology approaches, state-of-the-art plant cell biology imaging facilities, and advanced genomic analysis pipelines, enabling us to remain at the forefront of plant science innovation.