Dr Rucha Karnik

  • Senior Royal Society University Research Fellow (Molecular Biosciences)

telephone: 01413301945
email: Rucha.Karnik@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns: She/her/hers

Bower Building, Room 205, Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom, G12 8SU

Import to contacts

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6876-4099

Biography

Rucha Karnik comes from an Agri-biotech industry background. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the St Xavier’s College and a master’s degree in Biotechnology with specialisation in Fermentation technolgy. She has worked in leading pharma-biotech companies, gaining over six years of Industry work experience. During this time she worked primarily in R&D and technology transfer also developing manufacturing processes, product packaging, marketing and management. Drawn to fundamental research, Rucha obtained her PhD degree (2011) in Membrane Biology at the University of Leeds with a Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) studentship award. During her PhD her work focused on indentifying mechanisms for K+ channel traffic impacting human health and disease. 

Rucha moved to the University of Glasgow (2011) to take up a post doctoral position in the Blatt laboratory. Working with plant systems here she focused on elucidating novel mechanisms co-ordinating ion transport and membrane traffic in plant cells. In 2016, Rucha was awarded the prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship to establish her own research group at the University of Glasgow. Research in Karnik lab addresses the overarching question 'How do plants grow?'. Rucha's work is aimed at understanding how plants that we rely on can cope with climate challenges. She investigates the plant molecular machinery involved in multifactorial stress responses impacting plant growth, development and pathogen immunity.

Going beyond research in the laboratory, Rucha leads Sci-Seedlets, a cross-disciplinary impact and innovation project to inspire the next generation of plant scientists.

Key words: plant growth, pathogen immunity, membrane transport, stomatal development, stomatal physiology, membrane traffic, climate-change, CO2-sensing, plant blindness

 

Research interests

 

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate change have a negative impact on crop health and productivity, thus increasing pressure on crop production and limiting the availability of agricultural land and water resources world-wide. Research in Karnik laboratory addresses how do plants grow with a view to understanding how to moderate these pressures. We study molecular mechanisms underpinning immediate responses to multifactorial environmental cues that affect plant growth, immunity and developmental processes. The focus is on stomata, the microscopic pores on plants that facilitate gas exchange for photosynthesis and control plant water loss. We investigate carbon dioxide-sensing mechanisms in plants and their impact on stomatal behaviour. This research crucial for developing fundamental understanding of plant-environment interactions under climate pressure and is an essential first step to ensuring food and water security into the future.

We use multi-disciplinary research platforms including cell biology, protein biochemistry, mass spectrometry, crystallography, live cell imaging, plant physiology and stomatal physiology in our research. Karnik lab research uses model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Developmental studies are carried out using Begonia species. Research findings are extended to study the horticultural crop cucumber through international collaborations.  

We develop new research tools in molecular biology, protein-protein interaction studies, plant membrane trafficking and plant protein biochemistry to aid research in plant systems.


Current Research Projects

1. Hormone-regulated membrane traffic in plants

Hormonal control of plasma membrane H+-ATPases is mediated in part through trafficking and its co-ordination in response to multifactorial stress. Current interests centre on novel secretory SNARE actions in regulating  endocytosis of H+-ATPases.

 

2. Novel SNARE Partners Facilitating Bacterial Pathogen Defence

Plant microbial pathogens affect plant health inflicting major agricultural and socio-economic losses worldwide. Although plants have evolved defence systems, immunity comes at a cost to plant growth. Microbial pathogens also hijack cellular vesicle traffic to suppress the secretion of defence-related molecules essential for plant immunity. We are interested in the molecular mechanisms regulating of ion and water transport in stomatal guard cells and the integration of pathogen immunity with plant water use.

 

 

3. Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Stomatal Development 

Environmental responses of stomata frequently transcend physiological and developmental timescales. We use Begonia species as model to study stomatal development with a view to gain strategic knowledge for development of crops with enhanced stomatal efficiency.

 

4. Plant Memories and Forgetfulness: Connexions with CO2-sensing and Stomatal responses

Global atmospheric CO2 is predicted to approach levels of 900 μmol mol-1 by the end of the 21st century and is certain to have long-term impacts on stomatal density and patterning on the leaf surface, and consequently on plant biomass. The CO2-sensing mechanisms that integrate stomatal regulation across timescales remain unknown. The laboratory is exploring possible CO2-sensing mechanism that could affect these processes.

5. Public Engagement & Innovation

Sci-Seedlets is a cross-disciplinary project to inspire the next generation of plant scientists. We have built a scheme that uses cutting-edge educational formats providing tasters for plant research. Through work in the classroom, Sci-Seedlets supports primary schools, teachers and members of the public with plant science education by exploring topics including 'how do plants grow?', 'how do plants defend against pathogens?' and ‘how to plants respond to their environment?’. Sci-Seedlets resources are now being expanded for use in secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of plant science.

Find out more!

Sci-Seedlets TRI 

Glasgow Science Festival 2022 

Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2022!

Past Activities 

 

Research groups

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2004 | 2003
Number of items: 26.

2024

Baena, G. , Xia, L. , Waghmare, S. , Yu, Z., Guo, Y., Blatt, M. R. , Zhang, B. and Karnik, R. (2024) Arabidopsis SNARE SYP132 impacts on PIP2;1 trafficking and function in salinity stress. Plant Journal, (doi: 10.1111/tpj.16649) (PMID:38289468) (Early Online Publication)

2023

Karnik, R. and Blatt, M. R. (2023) Analyzing protein–protein interactions using the split-ubiquitin system. In: Mukhtar, S. (ed.) Protein-Protein Interactions: Methods and Protocols. Series: Methods in molecular biology (2690). Humana Press: New York, NY, pp. 23-36. ISBN 9781071633267 (doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3327-4_3)

2022

Baena, G. , Xia, L. , Waghmare, S. and Karnik, R. (2022) SNARE SYP132 mediates divergent trafficking of H+-ATPase AHA1 and antimicrobial PR1 during bacterial pathogenesis. Plant Physiology, 189(3), pp. 1639-1661. (doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac149) (PMID:35348763) (PMCID:PMC9237740)

Wang, Y., Karnik, R. , Garcia-Mata, C. and Hu, H. (2022) Editorial: transport and membrane traffic in stomatal biology. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 898128. (doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.898128) (PMID:35712596) (PMCID:PMC9197599)

2021

Zhang, B. , Xia, L. , Zhang, Y., Wang, H. and Karnik, R. (2021) Tri-SUS: a yeast split-ubiquitin assay to examine protein interactions governed by a third binding partner. Plant Physiology, 185(2), pp. 285-289. (doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa039) (PMID:33721898)

2020

Xia, L. , Marquès-Bueno, M. M. and Karnik, R. (2020) Trafficking SNARE SYP132 partakes in auxin-associated root growth. Plant Physiology, 182, pp. 1836-1840. (doi: 10.1104/pp.19.01301) (PMID:31974128)

2019

Xia, L. , Marques-Bueno, M. M., Bruce, C. G. and Karnik, R. (2019) Unusual roles of secretory SNARE SYP132 in plasma membrane H+-ATPase traffic and vegetative plant growth. Plant Physiology, 180(2), pp. 837-858. (doi: 10.1104/pp.19.00266) (PMID:30926657)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Alvim, J., Donald, N. and Blatt, M. R. (2019) Dual sites for SEC11 on the SNARE SYP121 implicate a binding exchange during secretory traffic. Plant Physiology, 180, pp. 228-239. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.01315) (PMID:30850468) (PMCID:PMC6501095)

2018

Waghmare, S. , Lileikyte, E., Karnik, R. , Goodman, J. K., Blatt, M. R. and Jones, A. M.E. (2018) SNAREs SYP121 and SYP122 mediate the secretion of distinct cargo subsets. Plant Physiology, 178(4), pp. 1679-1688. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.00832) (PMID:30348815)

Lefoulon, C., Waghmare, S. , Karnik, R. and Blatt, M. R. (2018) Gating control and K+ uptake by the KAT1 K+ channel leaveraged through membrane anchoring of the trafficking protein SYP121. Plant, Cell and Environment, 41(11), pp. 2668-2677. (doi: 10.1111/pce.13392) (PMID:29940699) (PMCID:PMC6220998)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Donald, N. and Blatt, M. R. (2018) A GPI signal peptide-anchored split-ubiquitin (GPS) system for detecting soluble bait protein interactions at the membrane. Plant Physiology, 178(1), pp. 13-17. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.00577) (PMID:30037807)

2017

Karnik, R. , Waghmare, S. , Zhang, B. , Larson, E., Lefoulon, C., Gonzalez, W. and Blatt, M. R. (2017) Commandeering channel voltage sensors for secretion, cell turgor, and volume control. Trends in Plant Science, 22(1), pp. 81-95. (doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2016.10.006) (PMID:27818003) (PMCID:PMC5224186)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Waghmare, S. , Donald, N. A. and Blatt, M. R. (2017) VAMP721 conformations unmask an extended motif for K+ channel binding and gating control. Plant Physiology, 173(1), pp. 536-551. (doi: 10.1104/pp.16.01549) (PMID:27821719)

2015

Grefen, C., Karnik, R. , Larson, E., Lefoulon, C., Wang, Y., Waghmare, S. , Zhang, B. , Hills, A. and Blatt, M. R. (2015) A vesicle-trafficking protein commandeers Kv channel voltage sensors for voltage-dependent secretion. Nature Plants, 1, 15108. (doi: 10.1038/nplants.2015.108)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Wang, Y., Wallmeroth, N., Blatt, M. R. and Grefen, C. (2015) The arabidopsis R-SNARE VAMP721 interacts with KAT1 and KC1 K+ channels to moderate K+ current at the plasma membrane. Plant Cell, 27(6), pp. 1697-1717. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.15.00305) (PMID:26002867) (PMCID:PMC4498211)

Karnik, R. , Zhang, B. , Waghmare, S. , Aderhold, C., Grefen, C. and Blatt, M. R. (2015) Binding of SEC11 indicates its role in SNARE recycling after vesicle fusion and identifies two pathways for vesicular traffic to the plasma membrane. Plant Cell, 27(3), pp. 675-694. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.114.134429) (PMID:25747882)

2014

Lefoulon, C., Karnik, R. , Honsbein, A., Gutla, P. V., Grefen, C., Riedelsberger, J., Poblete, T., Dreyer, I., Gonzalez, W. and Blatt, M. R. (2014) Voltage-sensor transitions of the inward-rectifying K+ channel KAT1 indicate a latching mechanism biased by hydration within the voltage sensor. Plant Physiology, 166(2), pp. 960-975. (doi: 10.1104/pp.114.244319) (PMID:25185120)

2013

Karnik, R. , Ludlow, M. J., Abuarab, N., Smith, A. J., Hardy, M. E.L., Elliott, D. J.S. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2013) Endocytosis of hERG is clathrin-independent and involves Arf6. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e85630. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085630) (PMID:24392021) (PMCID:PMC3877390)

Karnik, R. , Grefen, C., Bayne, R., Honsbein, A., Kohler, T., Kioumourtzoglou, D., Williams, M., Bryant, N.J. and Blatt, M.R. (2013) Arabidopsis Sec1/Munc18 protein SEC11 is a competitive and dynamic modulator of SNARE binding and SYP121-dependent vesicle traffic. Plant Cell, 25(4), pp. 1368-1382. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.112.108506) (PMID:23572542)

Karnik, A., Karnik, R. and Grefen, C. (2013) SDM-Assist software to design site-directed mutagenesis primers introducing “silent” restriction sites. BMC Bioinformatics, 14, 105. (doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-105) (PMID:23522286) (PMCID:PMC3644487)

2012

Wang, Y., Papanatsiou, M., Eisenach, C., Karnik, R. , Williams, M., Hills, A., Lew, V.L. and Blatt, M.R. (2012) Systems dynamic modeling of a guard cell Cl- channel mutant uncovers an emergent homeostatic network regulating stomatal transpiration. Plant Physiology, 160(4), pp. 1956-1967. (doi: 10.1104/pp.112.207704)

2010

Karnik, R. , Smith, A. J., Elliott, D. J., Taneja, T. K., Aviss, K. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2010) Lipid raft and Arf6-GTPase dependent endocytosis of the hERG potassium channel. Biophysical Journal, 98(3 S1), 376a. (doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.12.2028)

2009

Taneja, T. K., Mankouri, J., Karnik, R. , Kannan, S., Smith, A. J., Munsey, T., Christesen, H. B.T., Beech, D. J. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2009) Sar1-GTPase-dependent ER exit of KATP channels revealed by a mutation causing congenital hyperinsulinism. Human Molecular Genetics, 18(13), pp. 2400-2413. (doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp179) (PMID:19357197)

2007

Ghosh, P. K., Bhardwaj, D. and Karnik, R. (2007) Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: the protein and its current & emerging applications. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 6(4), pp. 435-448.

2004

Agrawal, Y.K. and Karnik, R. (2004) Erythromycin fermentation using Sacchropolyspora erythraea with cotton seed meal as nitrogen source. Indian Drugs, 41(3), pp. 138-142.

2003

Bisen, P. S. et al. (2003) Analysis of the shotgun expression library of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome for immunodominant polypeptides: potential use in serodiagnosis. Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 10(6), pp. 1051-1058. (doi: 10.1128/CDLI.10.6.1051-1058.2003) (PMID:14607866) (PMCID:PMC262431)

This list was generated on Thu Apr 25 11:57:30 2024 BST.
Jump to: Articles | Book Sections
Number of items: 26.

Articles

Baena, G. , Xia, L. , Waghmare, S. , Yu, Z., Guo, Y., Blatt, M. R. , Zhang, B. and Karnik, R. (2024) Arabidopsis SNARE SYP132 impacts on PIP2;1 trafficking and function in salinity stress. Plant Journal, (doi: 10.1111/tpj.16649) (PMID:38289468) (Early Online Publication)

Baena, G. , Xia, L. , Waghmare, S. and Karnik, R. (2022) SNARE SYP132 mediates divergent trafficking of H+-ATPase AHA1 and antimicrobial PR1 during bacterial pathogenesis. Plant Physiology, 189(3), pp. 1639-1661. (doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiac149) (PMID:35348763) (PMCID:PMC9237740)

Wang, Y., Karnik, R. , Garcia-Mata, C. and Hu, H. (2022) Editorial: transport and membrane traffic in stomatal biology. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 898128. (doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.898128) (PMID:35712596) (PMCID:PMC9197599)

Zhang, B. , Xia, L. , Zhang, Y., Wang, H. and Karnik, R. (2021) Tri-SUS: a yeast split-ubiquitin assay to examine protein interactions governed by a third binding partner. Plant Physiology, 185(2), pp. 285-289. (doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa039) (PMID:33721898)

Xia, L. , Marquès-Bueno, M. M. and Karnik, R. (2020) Trafficking SNARE SYP132 partakes in auxin-associated root growth. Plant Physiology, 182, pp. 1836-1840. (doi: 10.1104/pp.19.01301) (PMID:31974128)

Xia, L. , Marques-Bueno, M. M., Bruce, C. G. and Karnik, R. (2019) Unusual roles of secretory SNARE SYP132 in plasma membrane H+-ATPase traffic and vegetative plant growth. Plant Physiology, 180(2), pp. 837-858. (doi: 10.1104/pp.19.00266) (PMID:30926657)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Alvim, J., Donald, N. and Blatt, M. R. (2019) Dual sites for SEC11 on the SNARE SYP121 implicate a binding exchange during secretory traffic. Plant Physiology, 180, pp. 228-239. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.01315) (PMID:30850468) (PMCID:PMC6501095)

Waghmare, S. , Lileikyte, E., Karnik, R. , Goodman, J. K., Blatt, M. R. and Jones, A. M.E. (2018) SNAREs SYP121 and SYP122 mediate the secretion of distinct cargo subsets. Plant Physiology, 178(4), pp. 1679-1688. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.00832) (PMID:30348815)

Lefoulon, C., Waghmare, S. , Karnik, R. and Blatt, M. R. (2018) Gating control and K+ uptake by the KAT1 K+ channel leaveraged through membrane anchoring of the trafficking protein SYP121. Plant, Cell and Environment, 41(11), pp. 2668-2677. (doi: 10.1111/pce.13392) (PMID:29940699) (PMCID:PMC6220998)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Donald, N. and Blatt, M. R. (2018) A GPI signal peptide-anchored split-ubiquitin (GPS) system for detecting soluble bait protein interactions at the membrane. Plant Physiology, 178(1), pp. 13-17. (doi: 10.1104/pp.18.00577) (PMID:30037807)

Karnik, R. , Waghmare, S. , Zhang, B. , Larson, E., Lefoulon, C., Gonzalez, W. and Blatt, M. R. (2017) Commandeering channel voltage sensors for secretion, cell turgor, and volume control. Trends in Plant Science, 22(1), pp. 81-95. (doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2016.10.006) (PMID:27818003) (PMCID:PMC5224186)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Waghmare, S. , Donald, N. A. and Blatt, M. R. (2017) VAMP721 conformations unmask an extended motif for K+ channel binding and gating control. Plant Physiology, 173(1), pp. 536-551. (doi: 10.1104/pp.16.01549) (PMID:27821719)

Grefen, C., Karnik, R. , Larson, E., Lefoulon, C., Wang, Y., Waghmare, S. , Zhang, B. , Hills, A. and Blatt, M. R. (2015) A vesicle-trafficking protein commandeers Kv channel voltage sensors for voltage-dependent secretion. Nature Plants, 1, 15108. (doi: 10.1038/nplants.2015.108)

Zhang, B. , Karnik, R. , Wang, Y., Wallmeroth, N., Blatt, M. R. and Grefen, C. (2015) The arabidopsis R-SNARE VAMP721 interacts with KAT1 and KC1 K+ channels to moderate K+ current at the plasma membrane. Plant Cell, 27(6), pp. 1697-1717. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.15.00305) (PMID:26002867) (PMCID:PMC4498211)

Karnik, R. , Zhang, B. , Waghmare, S. , Aderhold, C., Grefen, C. and Blatt, M. R. (2015) Binding of SEC11 indicates its role in SNARE recycling after vesicle fusion and identifies two pathways for vesicular traffic to the plasma membrane. Plant Cell, 27(3), pp. 675-694. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.114.134429) (PMID:25747882)

Lefoulon, C., Karnik, R. , Honsbein, A., Gutla, P. V., Grefen, C., Riedelsberger, J., Poblete, T., Dreyer, I., Gonzalez, W. and Blatt, M. R. (2014) Voltage-sensor transitions of the inward-rectifying K+ channel KAT1 indicate a latching mechanism biased by hydration within the voltage sensor. Plant Physiology, 166(2), pp. 960-975. (doi: 10.1104/pp.114.244319) (PMID:25185120)

Karnik, R. , Ludlow, M. J., Abuarab, N., Smith, A. J., Hardy, M. E.L., Elliott, D. J.S. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2013) Endocytosis of hERG is clathrin-independent and involves Arf6. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e85630. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085630) (PMID:24392021) (PMCID:PMC3877390)

Karnik, R. , Grefen, C., Bayne, R., Honsbein, A., Kohler, T., Kioumourtzoglou, D., Williams, M., Bryant, N.J. and Blatt, M.R. (2013) Arabidopsis Sec1/Munc18 protein SEC11 is a competitive and dynamic modulator of SNARE binding and SYP121-dependent vesicle traffic. Plant Cell, 25(4), pp. 1368-1382. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.112.108506) (PMID:23572542)

Karnik, A., Karnik, R. and Grefen, C. (2013) SDM-Assist software to design site-directed mutagenesis primers introducing “silent” restriction sites. BMC Bioinformatics, 14, 105. (doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-105) (PMID:23522286) (PMCID:PMC3644487)

Wang, Y., Papanatsiou, M., Eisenach, C., Karnik, R. , Williams, M., Hills, A., Lew, V.L. and Blatt, M.R. (2012) Systems dynamic modeling of a guard cell Cl- channel mutant uncovers an emergent homeostatic network regulating stomatal transpiration. Plant Physiology, 160(4), pp. 1956-1967. (doi: 10.1104/pp.112.207704)

Karnik, R. , Smith, A. J., Elliott, D. J., Taneja, T. K., Aviss, K. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2010) Lipid raft and Arf6-GTPase dependent endocytosis of the hERG potassium channel. Biophysical Journal, 98(3 S1), 376a. (doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.12.2028)

Taneja, T. K., Mankouri, J., Karnik, R. , Kannan, S., Smith, A. J., Munsey, T., Christesen, H. B.T., Beech, D. J. and Sivaprasadarao, A. (2009) Sar1-GTPase-dependent ER exit of KATP channels revealed by a mutation causing congenital hyperinsulinism. Human Molecular Genetics, 18(13), pp. 2400-2413. (doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp179) (PMID:19357197)

Ghosh, P. K., Bhardwaj, D. and Karnik, R. (2007) Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: the protein and its current & emerging applications. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 6(4), pp. 435-448.

Agrawal, Y.K. and Karnik, R. (2004) Erythromycin fermentation using Sacchropolyspora erythraea with cotton seed meal as nitrogen source. Indian Drugs, 41(3), pp. 138-142.

Bisen, P. S. et al. (2003) Analysis of the shotgun expression library of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome for immunodominant polypeptides: potential use in serodiagnosis. Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 10(6), pp. 1051-1058. (doi: 10.1128/CDLI.10.6.1051-1058.2003) (PMID:14607866) (PMCID:PMC262431)

Book Sections

Karnik, R. and Blatt, M. R. (2023) Analyzing protein–protein interactions using the split-ubiquitin system. In: Mukhtar, S. (ed.) Protein-Protein Interactions: Methods and Protocols. Series: Methods in molecular biology (2690). Humana Press: New York, NY, pp. 23-36. ISBN 9781071633267 (doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3327-4_3)

This list was generated on Thu Apr 25 11:57:30 2024 BST.

Grants

Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.

  • A SNARE-Aquaporin complex in stomatal hydraulics
    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2024 - 2026
     
  • Sci-Seedlets - Developing Product Pipeline for Plant Science Education
    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2023 - 2025
     
  • IRGA-Live Clamp: An integrated infrared gas-analysis platform to investigate systemic signalling within the plant canopy
    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2022 - 2023
     
  • Diversity in STEM
    The Royal Society
    2022 - 2025
     
  • Plant Memories and Forgetfulness: Connexions with CO2 Perception and Responses
    The Royal Society
    2022 - 2025
     
  • Sci-Seedlets - BBSRC IAA
    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2021 - 2022
     
  • Elucidating Novel Mechanisms For CO2 - Sensing in Plants
    Wellcome Trust
    2021 - 2022
     
  • Sci-seedlets
    The Royal Society
    2021 - 2023
     
  • CO2 influence on SNARE regulation
    The Royal Society
    2021 - 2023
     
  • Sci-Seedlets- Nurturing Plant Science Educational Outcomes in School Children
    BBSRC
    2021 - 2022
     
  • SYP-SLAC
    BBSRC
    2021 - 2024
     
  • SNARE endocytosis and secretory vesicle reuse in plant growth-defense trade offs
    Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2019 - 2022
     
  • How Do Plants Fight Microbes?- The Defence Song
    The Royal Society
    2019 - 2019
     
  • Proton Transport Modulators - Spatial Regulation and Effects on Plant Physiology
    The Royal Society
    2017 - 2021
     
  • Hormone-Regulated Membrane Traffic and Plant Morphogenesis
    The Royal Society
    2016 - 2025
     

Supervision

PhD Projects

Karnik lab currently hosts PhD students funded by the Royal Society, China Scholarship Council, University of Glasgow and the M L Macintyre Begonia Trust.

Ongoing PhD Projects in the lab:-

1. Plants in a changing climate! CO2-sensitive mechanisms for stomatal control

2. Stomatal Development and Clustering in Begonias

3. Regulation of Plant Stomata in Begonias

 

*Applications are currently closed for Funded PhD projects in the lab.*

 

Self-funded Projects

For information please visit  Postgraduate Research Plant Science

1. Mechanics of multifactorial stress responses in plants – How do abiotic stress signals integrate with pathogen immunity?

2. New CO2-sensing mechanisms in plants to improve water use efficiency.

3. Engineering stomatal patterning in plants for enhanced water use efficiency.

 

  • Ly Truong Phan Thu, *
    Engineering stomatal patterning in plants for enhanced water use efficiency
  • YU, ZhiYi
    Elucidating Regulation of Membrane Traffic During Plant Growth and Environmental Stress Responses

PG & UG Projects 

Each year Karnik lab wellcomes undergraduate and post graduate student interns to promote interest in plant scienc. We provide opportunities to engage with our research and contribute to outreach.

 

Plant Science Internships (2023)

Applied Research Skills Internship 2023 for UofGlasgow students (Supported by Royal Society STEM diversity funding) - 1 position (*now filled)

Summer internships 2023 for UofGlasgow UG students (Supported by Royal Society STEM diversity funding) - 1 position (*now closed*)

Term time internships 2023 for UofGlasgow UG students (Supported by Royal Society STEM diversity funding) - 2 positions (*now closed*)

Summer internship 2023 for UofGlasgow UG Yr1 students  - 1 position - *now closed*

Summer School placement 2023 - 1 position - *now closed*

 

Teaching

  • Level 4: Honours Project Supervisor

  • MSc. Biotechnology assessor & project supervisor

  • MSc. Food Security assessor & project supervisor

  • MSc. Food Security & Management assessor & project supervisor

  • MSc Biotechnology BIOL5197 omics course assessor

  • MSc. Food Security, MSc Biotechnology & Level 4 BIOL5312, BIOL5213, BIOL4110 - Plant Research & Biotechnology Platforms

  • Level 3 Biomolecular Sciences Bioenergetics Lectures - Membrane Trafficking & Cellular Bioenergetics

  • PGR convenor and examiner

Professional activities & recognition

Research fellowships

  • 2016 - 2025: Royal Society University Research Fellowship

Grant committees & research advisory boards

  • 2020 - 2024: Royal Society, Royal Society Hooke Committee
  • 2023 - 2025: Royal Society, Royal Society Grants Committee

Editorial boards

  • 2019 - 2023: Guest Associate Editor for Plant Membrane Traffic and Transport, Frontiers in Plant Science

Selected international presentations

  • 2013: European Network for Plant Endomembrane Research (Ghent)
  • 2014: Gordon Research Conference: Salt & Water Stress in Plants (Maine NE)
  • 2017: European Network for Plant Endomembrane Research (France)
  • 2019: European Network for Plant Endomembrane Research (Glasgow)
  • 2021: Plant Biology 2021 Worldwide Summit, Cell Biology symposium (virtual)
  • 2023: SEB Centenary Conference Edinburgh 2023 (Edinburgh)