Der-Fen Suen

Our research aims to advance crop improvement by deepening our understanding of tapetum biology and the mitochondrial contributions to pollen development. A central focus is to elucidate why the tapetum is highly vulnerable to environmental perturbations and to define how mitochondrial function shapes reproductive development under both optimal and stress conditions, including heat stress, iron deficiency, and hypoxia.

To address these questions, we are developing a suite of innovative experimental platforms:

• Cell-type–specific isolation: Purification of tapetal cells, nuclei, and mitochondria to characterize their epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational landscapes.
• High‑resolution 3D imaging: Quantitative assessment of mitochondrial morphology, spatial organization, and density dynamics throughout anther development.
• Real‑time biosensing systems: Monitoring intracellular redox states, ATP levels, and calcium signaling to capture rapid cellular responses to environmental cues.