Investigating the molecular and cellular basis for immunity-induced growth inhibition in Arabidopsis thaliana and crop plants

Biotic stresses on crops can result in a double blow to crop yield: the direct impact of pathogenic activity on the plant, but also, significantly, the detrimental effect of the plant's own immunity-induced growth inhibition. Understanding the cellular and molecular basis for this growth-immunity antagonism is an essential first step to overcoming it in order to increase crop yield under biotic stress. This is widely regarded as an essential goal to assist in efforts to ensure food security for the 9 billion people projected to occupy the planet by 2050, especially in light of climate change which is likely to expose crop plants to a wider variety of biotic and abiotic stresses.
The overall aim of this project is to elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of this growth-immunity antagonism in roots, including its suppression by the mutualistic fungus Piriformospora (=Serendipita) indica, specifically by identifying the molecular inhibitors of growth under biotic stress, investigating the involvement of root growth regulatory mechanisms, and translating the findings of this research from Arabidopsis thaliana into crop species. We will be utilising a range of state-of-the-art technologies and approaches, including RNAseq, bioinformatics and confocal laser scanning microscopy.