BIO

Hi! I am Guido Sessa, the Principal Investigator of Sessa Lab.

 

I completed my B.Sc. degree in Agriculture from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1988, followed by an M.Sc. degree in Plant Genetics from The Weizmann Institute of Science in 1991 and a Ph.D. in the same field in 1996. After completing my doctoral studies, I served as a BARD postdoctoral fellow at both Cornell University's Department of Plant Pathology and Purdue University's Department of Agronomy. In 2000, I joined Tel Aviv University as a Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences.

 

My research interests are focused on the molecular biology and genetics of plant-microbe interactions, including plant-pathogen interactions and plant-microbe symbioses. I have extensive experience in this field, and was lucky to made important contributions to our understanding of these complex relationships. 

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As the head of Sessa Lab, I am excited to lead a team that focuses on the study of molecular mechanisms that govern plant immunity and susceptibility to bacterial pathogens. Our lab uses molecular biology, functional genomics and proteomics approaches to understand recognition events and signal transduction pathways that mediate immunity in plants. We also employ genetic and biochemical strategies to uncover the mode of action of bacterial virulence factors that manipulate host functions. Our investigation has a direct impact on agriculture and aims to provide targets and biotechnological strategies for the development of disease control against economically important pathogens.