Alex K Alexander

Areas of expertise

• Agrifood Systems

Background

I am a PhD researcher at Cranfield University, specializing in sustainable agriculture and microbiome engineering. My research focuses on understanding and enhancing the seed microbiome to improve germination and establishment under challenging environmental conditions. I am particularly interested in applying advanced metagenomics and microbial engineering techniques to develop innovative solutions for the agricultural sector.

Research opportunities

- Seed microbiome engineering for sustainable agriculture

- Seed germination and establishment under biotic and abiotic stresses

- Role of microbial communities in seed and plant development

- Application of metagenomics and bioinformatics in agriculture

- Enhancing crop productivity and resilience to climate change

Current activities

- Conducting experiments to evaluate microbial diversity and its impact on seed germination

- Optimizing laboratory protocols for DNA extraction and sequencing

- Writing a systematic literature review for publication, focusing on factors affecting Apiaceae seed germination

- Collaborating with academic and industry partners, including Elsoms Seed Ltd, to translate research findings into practical applications