Recognizing Plant Cell first authors: Abdellatif Bahaji

Abdellatif Bahaji, first author of Plastidial phosphoglucose isomerase is an important determinant of seed yield through involvement in gibberellin-mediated reproductive development and biosynthesis of storage reserves in Arabidopsis

Current Position: Postdoctoral fellow at the Instituto de Agrobiotecnología, Navarra, Spain

Education: PhD in Plant biology, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Non-scientific Interests: Hiking, biking, cooking, travelling and drinking good wine with friends

Brief bio: During my doctoral studies at University of Valencia, Spain, my research was focused on effects of osmotic and saline stress in endocytosis in rice (Oryza sativa L). After my PhD, I moved to California State University (CSU) Fresno, where I investigated the molecular mechanisms of plant-nematode interaction. The main objective of my research was to design new ways to control nematode pests in agriculture using a biotechnology approach. In 2007 I joined the “Carbohydrate Metabolism” group at the Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia of Navarra (Spain). My research was focused on regulatory aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in Arabidopsis and plants of agronomic interest such as corn, barley and potato. In parallel I am investigating the mechanisms involved in the response of plants to growth promoting volatile compounds emitted by microorganisms.