Lisha’s lab is at the forefront of uncovering the mechanisms underlying RNA modifications, e.g. m⁶A, in plant development, establishing a previously unexplored conceptual framework that governs both plant growth and environmental adaptation. By investigating how RNA modifications influence key biological processes such as gene expression regulation, mRNA stability, and protein translation, the lab is shedding light on how plants respond to developmental cues and environmental stresses. This groundbreaking research spans model plants and commercially important crops, providing critical insights into the molecular underpinnings of traits like flowering time, seed development, and stress resilience. Through a combination of cutting-edge molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics approaches, Lisha’s lab aims to bridge the gap between fundamental science and practical applications, redefining our understanding of plant biology and offering novel strategies for crop improvement.

Building on these discoveries, Lisha’s lab is exploring advanced breeding strategies to address the challenges of modern agriculture. By integrating germplasm collection, gene discovery, and genome editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9, the lab is focused on creating innovative leafy vegetable varieties. These efforts target popular crops like lettuce and kale, tailoring their genetic profiles to develop traits optimized for urban farming systems. The improved varieties are designed to thrive in controlled environments, offering enhanced growth rates, higher yields, improved nutrient content, and resilience to environmental stressors. By aligning cutting-edge research with the needs of urban agriculture, Lisha’s lab is contributing to a sustainable future where novel crop varieties maximize productivity and quality in vertical farms and other controlled agricultural systems, addressing the growing demand for fresh, nutritious produce in densely populated urban areas.