Project properties
Title The ins and outs of auxin signalling in bryophytes
Group Biochemistry, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 24-36
Supervisor(s) Jan Willem Borst
Examiner(s) Jan Willem Borst
Contact info JanWillem.Borst@wur.nl
Begin date 2023/01/01
End date 2026/12/31
Description Auxin is a crucial hormone that controls almost every aspect of plant development. My research focusses on studying the nuclear auxin signaling pathway in evolutionary conserved bryophytes, such as Marchantia polymorpha and Physcomitrium patens. We chose Marchantia, an early diverging land plant, as a model because it has the simplest, yet complete, auxin system possible. The main aim of my research is to understand how this dynamic system functions in living cells and ultimately steers auxin-driven plant development. To that end, we generated a collection of different plant lines, such as fluorescent reporters, mutants, and homologous recombination knock-ins. This allows us to visualize native accumulation patterns and relative concentrations of each response protein and to track dynamic responses. Furthermore, the available fluorescence microspectroscopy toolbox allows for quantification of protein diffusion and protein complex formation. Next to understanding of the functioning of auxin signaling in general, we are also investigating the biological role of individual response proteins and their property of forming biomolecular condensates. Experimental work ranges from biochemical lab work, molecular biology to the use of fluorescence microspectroscopy like confocal imaging, FRAP, FCS or FRET-FLIM.
Used skills Fluorescence Microspectroscopy, tissue culture, molecular and cell biology, biochemical work like protein purification
Requirements Depends on study program