Lecture Describes Approach to Study of Plant Biology

The Biology Department held a lecture on February 16, 2016 describing a cutting-edge approach to gaining insight into plant biodiversity by analyzing the metabolism of grapes and pears.

The lecture was entitled “The metabolomics approach for better understanding of grape biodiversity, thylene physiology by pears, and responses of Physcomitrella patens to abiotic stress.” It was presented by Plant Biology professor in the Department of Biology  and Biochemistry,  Jamil Harb.

The method he described will help biologists define mechanisms to be applied in various projects aimed at prominent crops in Palestine.

Professor Harb discussed the three experiments he conducted in collaboration with a research team in Potsdam, Germany during his sabbatical year at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology and presented their results for the use of further research projects.

“The significance of this modern approach relies on the fact that functional gene regulation usually results in the programming of metabolic machinery that is manifested in major changes of both primary and secondary metabolites,” Harb told the audience.