Unravelling the mechanisms behind plant stress sensing

Agricultural production and food security are severely threatened by the loss of arable land and climate change, with increasingly harsher droughts, floods, and heat waves reducing crop productivity by more than 50%. Attempts to improve plant stress tolerance often result in undesired reduced growth and low yield due to a complex and poorly understood interplay between the components that control these processes.

One mechanism by which plants can sense stress is via the protein kinase SUCROSE NON-FERMENTING 1 (SNF1)-RELATED KINASE 1 (SnRK1). SnRK1 is activated by the low energy levels ensuing stress, leading to stimulation of energy-producing catabolic processes and inhibition of energy-consuming biosynthetic processes. Overall, this energy saving program promotes stress tolerance in detriment of growth. Under energy-rich conditions, on the other hand, SnRK1 is repressed by the signalling sugar trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), which thereby promotes growth and developmental progression. Despite the importance of this system, little is known about the mechanisms by which T6P represses SnRK1 activity.

The aim of this PhD project is to delve into this question, building on recent unpublished findings implicating a group of proteins in this process. The project will employ in silico analyses and native mass spectrometry to investigate how the interaction between these proteins and SnRK1 is modified by T6P and to identify the regions involved in this interaction. The project is suitable for a candidate with a strong background in biochemistry and protein purification, an interest in structural analyses, and an aptitude for learning plant biology and various biophysical methods. Experience with mass spectrometry or crystallography is desirable but not a must.

This project is part of the Molecular Plant Biology theme in the Department of Biology.

Eligibility

For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page (https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-biology) .

How to apply

The deadline for applications for 2024-2025 entry is midday 15 March 2024.

You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University's graduate admissions page.

Please quote the Project Reference Code in the ‘plant stress sensing’ field in the application form.

Institution Website: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/graduate-study

Supervisors

Jani Bolla and Elena Baena-Gonzalez

Project code: plant stress sensing

Funding

This project is funded at home fee level by the Royal Society and by New College.