Effects of Protein Interactions on Riceplants

04. September 2023

Rinalda dedicated her PhD research to cell molecular studies. She came from Albania to Arkansas, US to research on septin-interacting proteins. Septins cause pathogenesis in fungi, especially in Magnaporthe oryzae, a fungus causing rice blast disease. Rice is one of the most important grains feeding millions of people globally. So, secure mechanisms of avoiding rice plants to be destroyed by this pathogen are necessary. Rinalda does ground research on protein interactions that could one day lead to an effective cure, or prevention for rice plants affected by the fungi.