Life Sciences Seminar: Decoding plant-bacterial communication in the rhizosphere
Life Sciences Seminar
The rules of attraction: Decoding plant-bacterial communication in the rhizosphere
Dr. Becca Schomer
Abstract:
Bacteria perceive and integrate complex environmental signals to locate preferred niches. Many phytobacteria require chemotaxis to colonize host plant roots from the soil. Chemotaxis is mediated by membrane-bound chemoreceptors called methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) that trigger directed movement up or down chemical gradients. Soilborne phytobacteria typically have dozens of MCPs encoded in their genomes each with unique and overlapping chemical sensitivities, and often preferentially swim towards the root exudates of host plants. Root exudates contain hundreds of chemical compounds that are attractive nutrient and energy sources. Together, the complex chemical make-up of the soil and the chemoreceptor repertoires of microorganisms make up the chemosensome. Despite an abundance of MCPs predicted in genomic data, we currently lack the ability to bioinformatically predict chemoreceptor-ligand specificity within the soil chemosensome. Thus, I have developed and exploit functional genomics tools that allow me to rapidly probe the ligand-binding of phylogenetically diverse bacterial chemoreceptors. These tools bypass technical bottlenecks and will ultimately lead to improved bioinformatic predictions of the chemosensome. By combing high throughput chemical and functional genomics screens with targeted molecular techniques my future research program aims to (1) profile the genetic determinants of bacterial perception of plant roots and hosts from the soil and (2) characterize the functional role of these determinants in recruiting or repelling pathogens and other symbionts to host roots and rhizospheres.
Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.
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