METABOLIC APPROACHES FOR ADVANCING DUAL FUNCTIONAL CROPS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND HUMAN HEALTH

1. To advance metabolically driven elicitation innovation for improving abiotic stress resilience of dual functional crops (climate change resilient and nutritionally relevant) such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) through modulation of critical control points of redox-linked endogenous defense pathway regulation and associated metabolic responses.2. To advance health-focused biotransformation strategies by advancing integrated sprouting and beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) based fermentation for designing high-value functional beverages from phenolics-enriched corn and soybean (food varieties) with human health benefits.