A project led by Dr. Bayram Ali Yerlikaya, a research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Ondokuz Mayıs University’s (OMU) Faculty of Agriculture, has been selected for funding under the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module for R&D Projects.

Contributing to OMU’s vision of becoming a research university, the project aims to develop strategic solutions to the adverse effects of climate change on agricultural production.

Investigating Key Genes in Multi-Stress Tolerance

The project, titled “Functional Validation of a Hub Gene in Multiple Abiotic Stress Tolerance,” will examine plant defence mechanisms at the molecular level under the simultaneous effects of major climate-related stress factors, including high temperatures, drought, and salinity.

The study will conduct a functional analysis of a strategic gene believed to act as a “hub gene” which is a highly connected regulator within plant defence networks.

Unlike conventional studies that generally examine stress factors individually, the project focuses on combined stress scenarios that more accurately reflect real-world environmental conditions. It therefore seeks to demonstrate experimentally how plants respond to complex and simultaneous environmental pressures.

A Promising Target for Climate-Resilient Crops

Commenting on the significance of the project, Dr. Yerlikaya noted that plants are increasingly exposed not to isolated stress factors but to multiple stresses occurring simultaneously as a result of climate change.

He emphasised that hub genes play a critical role in coordinating plant responses to such conditions. The findings are expected to identify a promising biotechnological target for the future development of climate-resilient crops.

Developing a New Model of Multi-Stress Tolerance

Using genetic engineering and network analysis approaches, the project aims to introduce a new “Multi-Stress Tolerance Model” to the plant biotechnology literature.

The study is also expected to strengthen OMU’s research capacity and international visibility in the field of agricultural biotechnology.

OMU congratulates Dr. Bayram Ali Yerlikaya on receiving support for the project and wishes him success in his research.