Giovanni Sena

Giovanni Sena is an Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, where he heads the Laboratory of Plant Morphogenesis. His research focuses on understanding the biophysical and molecular mechanisms controlling plant root development and environmental interactions. Sena earned a Laurea in Theoretical Physics from the University of Milan, followed by a PhD in Molecular Genetics from New York University, and postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University and NYU.

His work integrates plant biology, biophysics, and engineering to study root patterning, bioelectric signaling, and regeneration processes. Key areas of investigation include electrotropism, plant-microbe interactions, and applications of plant biology in space agriculture and sustainable systems.

Recent studies highlight the role of bioelectric fields in root behavior, root regeneration dynamics, and the development of 3D-printed hydrogel substrates for soilless cultivation. Sena’s lab uses advanced imaging techniques like light-sheet microscopy and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing plant-environment interactions.

His academic leadership includes organizing conferences and special issues on topics like plant chronobiology and bioelectricity. Current initiatives explore bioelectricity’s role in plant development and its potential for future agricultural innovations in space and terrestrial environments.