takato

My general research interest is elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which organisms respond to various environmental changes. Currently, I am interested in studying seasonal and diurnal time-keeping mechanisms. Many organisms possess molecular time-keeping mechanisms called “circadian clocks” to anticipate and prepare for daily changes in the surrounding environment. Organisms often use these clocks to measure changes in day length in order to coordinate their development with the most favorable seasons. The responses induced by day-length changes are referred to as “photoperiodism”. I use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to uncover the mechanisms of the plant molecular seasonal calendar.