Biotechnology
Key areas of Research in biotechnology at the Department of Environmental Horticulture include understanding how plants adapt to abiotic and biotic stresses, aiming to uncover novel pathways that enhance crop performance under adverse conditions, the environmental physiology of specialty crops, somatic cell genetics for new cultivar development, sustainable management of invasive species, and phytoremediation for environmental improvement. Additionally, researchers explore the manipulation of plant-based stimuli to enhance interactions between plants and animals. A significant emphasis is placed on the chemical diversity of plants, particularly specialized metabolites with agricultural and pharmaceutical value. By studying native Florida species and others, the department employs advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing, gene discovery, and functional genomics, including gene editing—to decipher molecular mechanisms and harness plant metabolism for practical applications.
