Within the GreenTE Gravitation program, we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to explore the Genetics of Mechanically-Triggered Plant Immunity. The mechanical dimension of plant immunity, which has remained mostly unexplored to date, is the fascinating topic of this GreenTE PhD position. The textbook model postulates that plant receptors recognise pathogen-derived molecules and activate host immunity. However, there are indications that mechanical forces associated with pathogen invasion also contribute to immune activation. The big question is how plant cells detect these forces and translate them into an integrated immune response.
The goal of this PhD project is to get insights into the molecular processes underlying mechanosensing of pathogens by plant cells. In this project, you will design and perform experiments that will provide a better understanding of how plants respond to mechanical force during infection. This requires a strong scientific basis in combination with your creativity and perseverance. The envisioned approaches aim to identify early signaling proteins and genes, to functionally analyse candidate genes by studying mutants and perturbed proteins, and to study infection phenotypes at the macroscopic, microscopic and biophysical level (in close collaboration with Joris Sprakel at Wageningen University).
The project fits well into the ongoing research on plant immunity and signaling within our Translational Plant Biology group at Utrecht University. Alternative ways of protecting plants against infectious diseases are desperately needed, and novel fundamental insights are crucial for this. Therefore, it is important to understand mechanosensing during infection and how this can be used to contribute to improving disease resistance.
We are looking for an MSc graduate who is proactive, curiosity-driven, and brings a hands-on mentality. You have a strong background in at least two of the following areas: Plant Pathology/Immunity, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or Genetics.
The (full-time) position is funded for 4 years and available from October 2024 onward.
This PhD/PD project is part of the Gravitation programme GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering), a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities. Together, GreenTE will unravel how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli; these fundamental insights will be the basis to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed longevity and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.
Please contact Guido Van den Ackerveken ([email protected]) or Dmitry Lapin ([email protected]) to inquire about the position. Applications only through the Utrecht University website until August 18, 2024.