Exploring Transcriptional Regulation of Cell Wall Integrity - Laura Bacete

Background

Plants depend on their cell walls as the first line of defence when facing stress. The systems that monitor cell wall integrity (CWI) are vital, as they assess the wall’s strength and initiate responses to any damage. Key players in these responses include phytohormones, receptors, and transcription factors. In the Plant Cell Wall Dynamics group, part of our research focuses on the role of two transcription factors, ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA (ZAT) - ZAT11 and ZAT18. These factors are pivotal in the plant’s response to cell wall damage through their influence on phytohormone production and their interplay in regulating the cell wall integrity receptor THESEUS1 under stress conditions.

Project Overview

This project offers a molecular biology student the chance to delve into the genetic mechanisms underpinning plant resilience. By focusing on ZAT mutants and their interactions with the THESEUS1 receptor, the project aims to uncover how plants respond to cell wall damage. The use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to generate new ZAT mutants presents a cutting-edge opportunity to advance our understanding of plant defence mechanisms.

Tasks Involved

  • Crossing in Arabidopsis thaliana: You will create crosses between different ZAT mutants and the THESEUS1 receptor to study their combined effects on plant responses.
  • Genotyping of Crosses: Utilising PCR, you will identify the genetic characteristics of the crosses to ensure the desired traits are present.
  • Cloning into Golden Gate Vectors: This task involves cloning specific sequences into vectors for further study.
  • CRISPR-Cas9 Editing: You will use CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, creating new ZAT mutants and selecting transformants.
  • Cell Wall Analysis: Through techniques like monosaccharide and linkage analysis, as well as FTIR spectroscopy, you will assess the impact of mutations on cell wall composition.
  • Stress Resistance Analysis: The project includes testing the mutants' resistance to various stresses such as drought, salt, and cold.

Opportunity

This project is an excellent opportunity for students interested in plant molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology. You will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques, plant breeding, and biochemical analysis. This research not only advances our understanding of plant defence mechanisms but also contributes to developing crops with enhanced resilience to environmental stresses.

Supervisors: Assistant Professor Laura Bacete, Dept of Plant Physiology, UMU
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