My scientific activity focuses on the molecular aspects of secondary growth in woody species. As the increase in thickness of plant stems is the outcome of the activity of the lateral meristems - stem cell niches called vascular cambium and cork cambium; the aim of my research is to unravel the molecular machinery behind such cambial activity, specification and differentiation of cells derived from the cambium. A sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms and networks that control plant secondary xylem differentiation is essential to achieve continued improvement in wood biomass traits while minimizing unwanted side effects. Several regulatory genes and hormones have been implicated in the developmental stages of xylem development, such as auxin, cytokinin and recently we have proposed that thermospermine is a novel plant growth regulator with a very specific role in xylem differentiation.