Role of Histone Acetyltransferases in plant homeostasis

A major challenge for the coming years is to provide food for an increasing population. Global demand for natural resources and the decreasing area of arable land are driving up the costs of energy and food. Therefore, it is of great importance to increase the current crop production in a sustainable manner. Engineering plants with increased resistance to pathogens is a sustainable strategy to manage disease and reduce crop losses.
In work leading to this proposal we identified histone acetylation as a major transcriptional regulator of plant growth and immunity. Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana we identified multiple histone acetyltransferases involved in hormonal signalling.
The aim of this PhD is to translate this work to crop plants using gene editing and chemical inhibitors in an effort to generate plants resistant to pathogens.