Anna Ihnatowicz

Dr. Anna Ihnatowicz is a Lecturer at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), affiliated with the Plant Protection and Biotechnology Department within the University of Gdańsk's Institute of Biotechnology. Her research focuses on plant biochemistry, metabolomics, and genetic regulation of secondary metabolites like coumarins and isoprenoids in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Her studies explore interactions between plant metabolic pathways, environmental stresses, and pathogen resistance, with particular emphasis on iron deficiency responses and genetic determinants of metabolite accumulation. She employs advanced techniques including UHPLC-MS, QTL/GWAS analysis, and chloroplast genome sequencing to unravel metabolic networks and stress adaptation mechanisms.

Notable contributions include identification of novel enzymes (e.g., scopoletin 8-hydroxylase) and genetic loci (CPT3, ABH) involved in coumarin and dolichol biosynthesis. Her work bridges fundamental biochemical studies with applied aspects of plant stress tolerance and molecular genetics.

Key research themes include:

• Genetic basis of metabolite variation in natural plant populations
• Metabolic engineering of stress-responsive pathways
• Chloroplast genome evolution in orchids
• Epistatic interactions in anthocyanin regulation

Publications span plant physiology, genomics, and biochemical methodology, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to plant biology challenges.