The big picture: using wildflower strips for pest control
They may be beautiful, but these strips prove pretty deadly for every farmer's mortal enemy: aphids
Science
Dr Cara Griffiths
Molecular Biologist - Biochemist
Sustainable Soils and Crops
PUBLICATIONS
Email
cara.griffiths@rothamsted.ac.ukTwitter
LinkedIn
Location
Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ
Tel
+44 (0) 1582 938 123
Professional Platforms
ORCID
ResearchGate
Google Scholar
Biography
Cara is interested in whole plant carbon allocation and carbon usage, with an emphasis on how this is regulated by SnRK1 and sugar phosphates, in particular trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P). In addition, she also looks at how sugars are accumulated and used in both drought and desiccation tolerance processes. Cara has a research background in the molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance, where she previously looked at hormone glycosylation and senescence avoidance in the resurrection grass, Sporobolus stapfianus. In addition, she continues to be involved in sugar and starch biochemistry in wheat where she looks at how a T6P precursor can be used to induce changes in this biochemistry, improving resilience and increasing yield. Currently, Cara mainly works on exploring genetic and sugar biochemistry variation in drought tolerant wheat populations, in addition to using resurrection plant genes to improve crop yields and drought tolerance.
Science Projects
- Increasing wheat drought tolerance throughout the life cycle through regulation of plant growth mechanisms (SARIC)
Awards
- 2015 - Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Biology). Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- 2008 - BSc (Honours). Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
Measures of Esteem
- Member of the Rothamsted Scientific Meetings Committee (SMC)