Welcome to the Oztas Lab!

Their sessile lifestyle has forced plants to develop various adaptive strategies to survive under the influence of diverse environmental stresses. Our lab aims to understand these mechanisms at molecular level by performing genetics, molecular biology and genomics approaches. We are currently focusing on understanding how legumes overcome the limitation of usable nitrogen forms in soil by forming symbiotic interaction with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and how plants cope with DNA-damaging factors to maintain their genome stability. Our research program provides basic scientific insights for environmentally friendly yet high-yield agricultural production and for fighting climate change.