Davide Gerna

My research activity strives on enhancing plant survival through seeds, by studying their physiological, biochemical, and biophysical responses to stresses. In orthodox-seeded species, survival of desiccation and freezing are crucial to extend seed longevity, which is critically affected by the oxidative balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. Redox responses appear equally relevant to cryopreservation and in vitro regeneration of recalcitrant-seeded species that cannot withstand desiccation and freezing.

My current aims are to:

• elucidate redox and cellular mechanisms conserved across different seed storage behaviours
• understand the influence of oxygen on seed storage depending on structural properties and macromolecular architectures
• identify predictive signatures of seed viability and quality

To achieve such aims, I develop cross-disciplinary approaches to target the biochemical and physical traits of both orthodox and recalcitrant seeds, while combining fundamental and applied aspects to extend longevity and improve germination performance in response to abiotic and biotic stresses.

• PhD, Plant Biochemistry and Metabolism, University of Innsbruck, Austria
• MSc, Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
• BSc, Biological Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy