Maria Ermakova

Dr Maria Ermakova

Lecturer
Head, Plant Energy and Biotechnology Lab

T: +61 3 9905 3641
E: maria.ermakova@monash.edu

Monash University Researcher Profile
Research Group Website
Google Scholar

Research Overview

Maria is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant productivity with the goal of increasing crop biomass and grain yield. Her research group studies photosynthesis, the fundamental process by which plants harness solar energy, water, and carbon dioxide to synthesise sugars, serving as the cornerstone of plant growth and development. Using cutting-edge biotechnological approaches and synthetic biology tools such as Golden Gate cloning, CRISPR/Cas9, and designer transcription activator-like effectors (dTALEs), Maria's team aims to genetically modify plants to boost their photosynthetic efficiency. Their research spans across a diverse array of species, from C3 and C4 model plants such as Setaria viridis, Arabidopsis, and tobacco, to important C3 and C4 crops like rice and sorghum.

Research Group