Biology
Humans have survived microbial diseases by means of an effective adaptive immune system that produces antibodies, massive relocations to germ-free areas, and in the past century by using antibiotics. Did you ever wonder how plants, that spend their entire lives in the exact place were they are born, manage to be healthy even when they are surrounded by large numbers of potentially dangerous microbes present in the soil, the air, and the surrounding environment? Our lab studies the mechanisms that allow plants to fend off most microbes as well as the mechanisms that allow a few pathogenic microorganisms to infect plants. It is known that the first line of host defense against microbes is mediated by membrane receptors of the innate immune system. These receptors recognize conserved molecules that are unique to microbes. The perception of these molecules triggers the onset of defense responses that allow plants to restrict microbial growth. The mechanisms by which plants execute the suppression of microbial growth are largely unknown. In our lab we take several approaches to elucidate these mechanisms, including functional genomics, genetics, transcriptomics, chemistry and cell biology. We ultimately aim at understanding how plants manage to stay healthy even when they are surrounded and constantly challenged by microbes.