UPSC Seminar: Elke Barbez

The plant cell wall, once considered a passive scaffold, is now recognized as a dynamic interface that integrates developmental signals with environmental cues. In roots, the cell wall forms the first point of contact with the soil, where its porous, pectin-rich matrix not only allows solute diffusion but also carries a dynamic negative charge. Our research investigates how this tunable cell wall charge steers access to essential cations such as iron. We hypothesize that the root cell wall functions as a selective electrostatic filter—modulating ion retention and release in response to environmental cues.

To enable this research, we develop molecular tools that allow real-time visualization and targeted manipulation of extracellular charge in planta.Our findings demonstrate that plants dynamically regulate cell wall charge in response to nutrient availability, thereby optimizing ion uptake and sustaining root growth under challenging soil conditions.

These insights establish cell wall charge as an important regulator of nutrient homeostasis and adaptation, offering a conceptual framework that may also inform strategies to improve nutrient efficiency in crops.