Who we are
The Cytoplasmic Genetics Group, founded in 2024, is part of the Laboratory of Plant Physiology at the Wageningen University & Research. We are a team of passionate scientists engaged in cutting-edge research on cytoplasmic genetics in plants.
Our vision
In plant cells, cytoplasmic genomes are stored in plastids and mitochondria. Although these genomes represent only a small portion of the total cellular genetic material, they are vital for survival, as they encode proteins for crucial biological processes including photosynthesis and respiration.
We believe that a comprehensive understanding of cytoplasmic genetics will allow us to appreciate how these ancient endosymbionts DNA shape modern-day plants. With this knowledge, we aim to harness the potential of cytoplasmic genetics in plant breeding.
Research focus
Owing to their prokaryotic origin, cytoplasmic genomes exhibit distinctive characteristics when compared to nuclear genomes. Our group is particularly interested in exploring these unique features, with a specific focus on investigating the following biological questions: What factors regulate the vertical inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes?What mechanisms govern the segregation and selection of cytoplasmic genomes?How does cytoplasmic genetics influence plant physiology?