Project description
Organ formation from one or a few cells is a complex process in all living organisms.
In order to generate cells with the correct identity, a strict cell-cell communication
has to take place. Several molecules have been described to participate in this
exchange. Among them, small signaling peptides are increasingly reported to have
a crucial role in the control of biological processes. Plants are an excellent model to
study organogenesis, since organs such as lateral roots and branches form
continuously. We have identified a family of peptides in Arabidopsis thaliana, called
GOLVEN, that signals during the process of lateral root formation. However the
peptides receptor as well as other genes involved in the transmission of the signal
are still unknown. The aim of this project is to identify and characterize new factors
involved in this signaling pathway.
The overproduction of one of the GOLVEN peptides results in plants with no visible
lateral roots indicating that lateral root formation is affected. An EMS mutagenesis
has been conducted in plants overexpressing the peptide gene. The reasoning
behind is that if a gene involved in the peptide signaling pathway is mutated, the
signal cannot be transmitted and the lateral root phenotype is not observed and
thus, reverted to wildtype. A screening for such mutants was conducted in our lab
and we identified several suppressors of the GOLVEN phenotype. The proposed
project will consist in the identification and characterization of the mutated genes.
For this, we will recognize the causal mutation by Next Generation Sequencing of
the whole genome and once the mutated gene is identified, gain- and loss-offunction mutants will be generated and their phenotype in lateral root formation will
be analyzed. In addition, we will produce reporter lines by fusing the gene promoter
and the protein to reporter genes (i.e. GFP) in order to analyze gene expression and
subcellular localization of the protein.
The host institution (VIB-Gent University, placed 70 in the academic ranking of world
universities released by Shanghai Jiao Tong University this year), situated in the
beautiful city of Gent, is a research center of excellence, classified among the best
plant science departments in the world. VIB-Gent University is a multicultural
institution hosting researchers from all over the world. Especially, Chinese doctorate
students can also apply for cofounding with a CSC grant and are exempted from
paying the tuition fee. The Root Development lab, managed by Prof. Tom
Beeckman, is one of the leading research groups in root development, holding many
publications in high impact factor journals. The candidate will work under the
supervision
of
a
postdoctoral
researcher
who
participated
in
the
initial
characterization of the GOLVEN peptide family and has been studying it since then.
For additional information on this subject please refer to Fernandez et al., (2013,
Journal of Experimental Botany), and references therein.
Requirements
To fulfil this project we are looking for a PhD student that will be enthusiastic to
apply for a 4-years mandate CSC scholarship. The most important requirement for
the potential candidate is motivation and commitment to perform excellent science.
Organization and good attention to details are appreciated qualities. A good level of
English is also required. Previous experience in plant research and publications are
not mandatory but both are considered an advantage. For interested candidates
please contact Dr. Ana Fernandez ([email protected]) and Tao Fang
([email protected])
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