Welcome to Kovacs Lab

Genetics Labs at Missouri State University

Our lab is interested in the interaction between grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and its powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator Schwein. In addition to being an intriguing biological phenomenon, this parasitic interaction is of great economic importance. As well, my lab deals with the effects of Nano particles on biological organisms.

Welcome to Kovacs Lab

Genetics Lab at Missouri State University

Our lab is interested in the interaction between grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and its powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator Schwein. In addition to being an intriguing biological phenomenon, this parasitic interaction is of great economic importance. As well, my lab deals with the effects of silver Nanoparticles on gene expression, and photosynthesis on plants.

Goals

Grapevine

pexels-luiz-m-santos-760280

Commercial photography

Our main goals are to discover the elemental composition of plant tissues, the architecture of the root system, and the shape of the leaf blade.

Nanoparticles

molecule-2082634

Arty projects

Our main goals are to discover the properties of silver nanoparticles, and what affects this can have on biological organisms.

Research

Plants sustain nearly all other life forms and are fundamental to major biogeochemical cycles. As climate change and human population growth erode ecosystems and threaten food security, increasing our understanding of plant life is becoming increasingly important. Our lab studies the biology of perennial plants and focuses on the perennial model system grapevine (Vitis species).