Receptor kinase signalling complexes in root development

Optimized root architecture is crucial for efficient water and nutrient uptake, and strongly affects plant growth and seed yield. Our group is interested in the involvement of membrane-associated receptor-like kinases in registering and conveying (positional) information during plant (lateral) root development. Specifically, we are investigating the ACR4-dependent signalling cascade, which we recently showed to be important for root development (De Smet et al. 2008, Science 322:594-597).

In the framework of a David Phillips BBSRC Fellowship, we will identify regulatory and interacting proteins for the membrane-associated receptor-like kinase ACR4. We will combine the expertise of our lab in genetics, proteomics and root development with that of the industrial partner Bayer CropScience - BioScience. The characterization of receptor kinase signalling complexes and mechanisms, which can integrate mobile signalling molecules to control formative cell divisions during organogenesis, provides an excellent tool to study short range, cell-to-cell communication during growth and development.

In view of food security as a major global issue, and with the root system to be able to strongly contribute to plant growth and yield (Den Herder et al., Trends in Plant Science 15:600-607), we will further explore receptor kinase signalling under various physiological conditions and translate the knowledge to crops. Using a unique approach to visualise root systems we will gain unprecedented insights on root system architecture.

Techniques involved: Expression analysis, localization of proteins, confocal microscopy, transient assays, biochemical approaches, molecular biology, protein-protein interactions, transformation, cereal crops, plant physiology