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Research areas
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Hormonal crosstalk for plant organogenesis
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Lateral root formation as working model for cytokinin-auxin interaction
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Influence of local auxin biosynthesis for seed and embryo development
Main objectives
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Convergence of hormonal pathways on transport-dependent auxin distribution upstream of lateral root formation
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Role of auxin-cytokinin interaction in lateral root formation
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Unraveling the effect of local auxin production on seed and embryo development in Arabidopsis
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Identification of components of hormonal crosstalk by genetic approaches
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Formulation of general models for hormonal regulation of organogenesis
Content of research
Growth and development of plants are regulated by signaling substances such as plant hormones. In plants, interactions between hormonal pathways represent crucial factors that govern their action. The molecular basis for hormonal crosstalk is largely unknown. Our research aims to identify the molecular and cellular mechanism(s) underlying crosstalk of hormonal pathways in organogenesis and other plant developmental processes. We use two working models in Arabidopsis, lateral root formation and embryo development, as ideal experimental models to study mechanisms of plant hormone action, the molecular basis of their interactions, and the role of these interactions in organogenesis.
We aim to identify the key points in which auxin and other signaling pathways converge during lateral root formation and the molecular components involved in the process. Using cell type specific transcriptome analysis, we investigate the molecular events involved in auxin-cytokinin regulated lateral root organogenesis.
During embryogenesis, shoot and root primordia are specified at opposite extremities of the embryo. An embryonic local auxin production influences signaling pathways leading to the activation of developmental program for root and shoot specification. We investigate how auxin biosynthesis is regulated within the embryo.
In both models, we used mutant screens approaches to specifically target interactions between selected hormonal pathways. The acquired knowledge on molecular networks and their mutual interactions in lateral root organogenesis and embryo morphogenesis will be used to model these processes and to extrapolate them onto other developmental situations.
1. Transcriptional regulation of auxin-dependent organogenesis
Supervisor: Helene Robert Boisivon, Ph.D.
Consultants: Mgr. Markéta Pernisová, Ph.D.
Annotation
Food production mostly relies on a proper sexual plant reproduction. Therefore research in fundamental aspects of seed development is crucial to the understanding of processes involved in seed viability. Embryo development follows a strict pattern of cell divisions and differentiations, which, if whenever affected, perturbs embryo shape and viability. The plant hormone auxin is a mediator of these developmental events. Dynamic changes in auxin distribution during embryo development are crucial for establishment of embryonic root and shoot. We showed that a local production of auxin regulates this embryonic auxin distribution. Our research projects focus on how environmental and endogenous signals are integrated at the cellular level into the regulation of this auxin transport both in embryonic and post-embryonic tissues.
Project description Our next challenge is to identify how this localized embryonic auxin production is regulated. We identified transcription factors that directly activate the expression of auxin biosynthetic enzymes, which will be functionally studied within this project. Techniques involved Genetics, Microscopy, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology in context of Plant reproduction.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated student who would be interested to carry out his/her PhD research project in our team. The candidate should have MSc degree in the area of Life sciences. Experience in molecular biology/cell biology/plant culture/microscopy is a plus. English will be our communication language.
We offer Ambitious laboratory facilities, young, international and dynamic work environment. Experience acquisition in a wide range of biological techniques and methods.
Keywords: auxin transport, embryonic auxin production, plant reproduction, organogenesis
