Emmanuelle Graciet

Emmanuelle Graciet is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Maynooth University, Ireland, and serves as Secretary of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6) and an MSc in Plant Molecular and Cellular Physiology from AgroParisTech. Her research focuses on plant responses to environmental stresses, particularly the role of protein degradation mediated by the ubiquitin system in plant-pathogen interactions and hypoxia. She leads the Plant Biochemistry Lab, affiliated with the Virtual Irish Centre for Crop Improvement (VICCI) and the Sustainable Ecosystems Research Group.

Her academic roles include coordinating second-year biology programs and teaching modules in biochemistry, plant responses to the environment, and protein control. She has served on numerous committees, including the Departmental Research Committee (as Coordinator), Faculty Research Committee, and Biological Safety Committee. Her honors include the EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2007) and HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship (2004).

• Education:
  • PhD in Biochemistry, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), 2003
  • MSc in Plant Molecular and Cellular Physiology, AgroParisTech, 2000

Research Interests: Her lab investigates stress responses in plants, particularly the N-end rule pathway’s role in protein stability under hypoxia and pathogen attacks. Key topics include:

• Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation in stress adaptation
• Interactions between waterlogging and pathogen defense mechanisms
• Genetic and genomic approaches in crop plants (e.g., barley, oilseed rape)

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including recent work on hypoxia’s suppression of plant immunity and the integration of environmental stress signals via ubiquitylation. Her 2024 studies highlight cross-species comparisons of hypoxia signaling and novel insights into flooding-induced pathogen defense.

• Awards:
  • EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2007)
  • HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship (2004)

Teaching and Service: Coordinates second-year biology curricula and lectures on plant responses to the environment. Active in academic governance, including roles in Maynooth University’s Green Labs committee and Biological Safety Committee.

Labs/Groups: Plant Biochemistry Lab (Maynooth University), VICCI, and Sustainable Ecosystems Research Group.