Project properties
Title The biological role of ROS- dependent oxidative modification of Cysteine-Rich Receptors
Group Biochemistry, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 24-36
Supervisor(s) Virendrasinh Khandare
Examiner(s) Elwira Smakowska-Luzan
Contact info virendrasinh.khandare@wur.nl
Begin date 2023/07/01
End date 2024/12/31
Description Unlike animals, as sessile organisms plants need to sense various abiotic and biotic stresses and respond to them appropriately. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) accumulates in the plant cell under stress conditions and play an important role in intra- and extra- cellular signaling. This project is focused on elucidating the role of Cysteine Rich Receptor Kinases (CRKs) as elusive ROS sensors crucial for extracellular redox signaling.

Fluctuating levels of ROS can cause different types of the oxidative modifications on the thiol group of cysteines in Extra Cellular Domain’s (ECD) of Cysteine Rich Receptors. We aim to analyse the presence of these oxidative modifications of CRKs using redox mass spectrometry approaches. Knowing cysteine oxidative post translational modifications on CRK’s ECD we will be able to assess which CRK interactions are modulated by changed redox conditions. This will contribute towards our understanding of the relation between ROS and CRK signaling. In this project we are also aiming to establish a reliable methodology to identify oxidative cysteine modifications.
Used skills Mass Spectrometry, Microscopy, Molecular and cell biology.
Requirements Depends on study program
Basic understanding of plant biology