DeCaETI · Decoding calcium pathway activated by plant intracellular immune receptors

Decoding calcium pathway activated by plant intracellular immune receptors

Plant diseases are a major challenge to global agriculture, food security, and economic stability, causing significant crop losses worldwide. With increasing demands for sustainable agricultural practices, understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive plant immunity is crucial for developing long-lasting disease resistance strategies. This project aims to address a fundamental question in plant immunity: how do plants decode and respond to pathogen attacks through calcium signaling? Calcium signalling is a well-conserved second messenger system in all living organisms, playing a critical role in plant defence responses. However, despite its well-established role in immunity, little is known about how intracellular plant immune receptors, known as nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs), activate calcium signalling upon pathogen recognition. Furhow calcium signals regulate large-scale transcriptional reprogramming to trigger effective defence responses remains unclear responses. To bridge these knowledge gaps, this project investigates the intricate relationship between NLR immune receptors and calcium signalling. The research is structured around three key objectives: Decoding compartmentalized calcium dynamics triggered by intracellular immune receptors (NLRs) upon pathogen detection. Characterizing the role of helper NLRs in generating calcium signatures and orchestrating immune-related gene expression. Identifying calmodulins (calcium-binding proteins) that interact with key transcription factors to interpret calcium signals and activate defence responses. By integrating advanced molecular biology, live-cell imaging, and genetic approaches, this project aims to unravel how calcium signals are precisely regulated and decoded during plant immune responses. The findings will provide valuable insights into plant immunity, paving the way for innovative breeding strategies that enhance crop resilience to disease. This project has the potential to drive significant advancements in plant breeding, particularly in developing crops with durable resistance to pathogens. Understanding how calcium signaling contributes to plant immunity will enable researchers and breeders to identify genetic targets for improving disease resistance in various crops. This knowledge can be applied to develop climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and improving global food security. The results of this project will be disseminated through scientific publications, conferences, and outreach activities to maximize impact. Additionally, collaboration with plant breeding programs and biotechnology industries will facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications. By uncovering new molecular pathways in plant immunity, this project will contribute to the long-term goal of ensuring global food production stability in the face of increasing agricultural challenges.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз