Plant Science

Biography

I was born in Sri Lanka. I did my Bsc and Msc studies at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), before starting a PhD at the Plant Biochemistry laboratory at University of Copenhagen, under supervision of Professor Birger Lindberg Møller. During my PhD identified and characterized one of the main enzymes involved in the vanillin biosynthesis in vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), work which led to multiple publications and a patent. I am currently a Postdoc at the Plant Biochemistry laboratory, leading the Vanilla project. Today, my research is primarily focused on discovery, elucidation and bioengineering of plant high-value compounds. Particularly I’ve focused on vanillin, the main flavor component in the World’s favorite flavor; Vanilla. Though this work, I was able to contribute the exact knowledge of how the vanilla orchid produces vanillin, a result that had escaped scientists for decades. Currently, my work is focused on establishing an exclusive vanilla orchid vanillin-production in yeast and other microorganisms. Further, I aim to contribute to the discovery of a better alternative to Vanilla planifolia with African origin for sustainable vanilla farming in Uganda.

Abstract

Abstract : The elucidation and bioengineering of the vanillin biosynthesis in the vanilla orchid