Plant-PATH Welcomes New Postdoctoral Researcher Azzurra Costantino
The Plant-PATH Center of Excellence is pleased to welcome Dr. Azzurra Costantino as a new postdoctoral researcher in the group of Magnus Kjærgaard at Aarhus University.
Azzurra joins Plant-PATH following the completion of her PhD in Structural Biology at the CERM – Magnetic Resonance Center, where she specialized in advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods for studying biological systems. She also holds a Master's degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of Florence. During her doctoral studies, she contributed to the development and application of innovative 19F NMR techniques, helping to reveal molecular interactions and protein dynamics with exceptional sensitivity.
In her new role within Plant-PATH, Azzurra will focus on understanding how plant hormone transporters function at the molecular level. Her research will center on the PIN family of transport proteins, which play a crucial role in directing the movement of the plant hormone auxin throughout the plant.
By applying advanced 19F NMR approaches, Azzurra aims to investigate how PIN proteins interact with auxin and other molecules, providing new insights into the mechanisms that regulate hormone transport and plant development. Her expertise in structural biology and NMR spectroscopy will complement Plant-PATH's interdisciplinary efforts to understand how plants control growth and adapt to their environment.
Azzurra's appointment further expands Plant-PATH's expertise in advanced structural and biophysical methods, supporting the centre's mission to uncover the fundamental principles governing plant hormone transport and signalling.