Dr. Thi Ha Giang Vu

Research Focus
I am a molecular biologist, with expertise in genomics, (epi)genetics and DNA double-strand break repair. Currently, my research focuses on uncovering genetic and epigenetic variations in Douglas-fir German and North American original seed stands, which serve as the factors underlying phenotypic variation in yield-related traits and as the basis for environmental adaptation.
Education and Academic Degrees
• 2007 – Dr. rer. nat. in Genetics, University of Greifswald, Germany.
• 2004–2007: Ph.D. studies, Leibnitz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany.
• 2003- 2004: Diploma equivalence in Biotechnology, University of Greifswald, Germany.
• 2001- 2003: M. Sc. In Biophysics, VNU University of Science, Vietnam.


Selected Publications
G.T.H. Vu, H.X. Cao, M. Hofmann, W. Steiner, O. Gailing (2023). “Uncovering epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of growth in Douglas-fir: identification of differential methylation regions in mega-sized introns”. Plant Biotechnol. J. (doi: 10.1111/pbi.14229)
G.T.H. Vu, H.X. Cao, B. Reiss, I. Schubert (2017). “Deletion-bias in DNA double strand break repair differentially contributes to plant genome shrinkage.” New Phytol. (doi: 10.1111/nph.14490)
I. Schubert and G.T.H. Vu (2016). “Genome stability and evolution: attempting a holistic view.” Trends Plant Sci. 21: 749-757. (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2016.06.003)
G.T.H. Vu, H.X. Cao, K. Watanabe, G. Hensel, F.R. Blattner, J. Kumlehn and I. Schubert (2014). "Repair of site-specific DNA double-strand breaks in barley occurs via diverse pathways primarily involving the sister chromatid." Plant Cell 26(5): 2156-2167. (doi: 10.1105/tpc.114.126607)
A. Pecinka, A. Abdelsamad, G.T.H. Vu (2013) Hidden genetic nature of epigenetic natural variation in plants. Trends Plant Sci., 18, 625-632. (doi: 10.1016/ j.tplants.2013.07.005)