Characterisation of novel peptide ligand-receptor complexes in plants

Funding of the proposed research exchange will contribute to the two partner's aims to extend and consolidate knowledge on peptide ligand-receptor interactions regulating root meristem stem cell maintenance and floral abscission. More specifically we want to establish a collaboration to utilize each others expertise in analysing floral abscission and root meristem phenotypes in different Arabidopsis mutant lines and study the dynamics of receptor interactions by advanced fluorescence techniques. In partic ular we want to extend our understanding of the signaling systems regulating floral organ abscission and root stem cell maintenance by identifying additional peptide ligands and receptors involved in these processes and by studying the in vivo interaction dynamics of receptors and their interacting proteins. To this end, the communalities in the field of research of both labs will perfectly complement each other. The research in the Aalen lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating cell separation, in particular floral organ abscission. The focus of research in the Simon lab is the maintenance of plant stem cells and its influence on plant development and growth. Both abscission and maintenance of root meristem is regulated by peptide ligand-recept or signaling. Preliminary data from each of the participating labs opens for the exciting possibility that signaling components regulating root meristem maintenance and stem cell behavior could also be involved in regulating floral abscission, while recep tors involved in regulating abscission could be implicated in root development. By exchanging expertise we will extend our understanding of these processes and provide knowledge for future translational applications in crops. Through this collaboration yo ung scientists will be trained in the collaborating lab and the added value uniting the efforts of both labs will allow two female scientists at an early career stage to accelerate their research progress.