The production of oligosaccharides that comes from the cleavage of cell wall polysaccharides, contributes to the regulation of plant development and growth in physiological and stressed conditions.
Biological question
The plant cell wall is a highly complex and dynamic structure composed of different polysaccharides which tightly interact with each other and can be cleaved into oligosaccharides during plant growth and under abiotic and biotic stresses. These oligosaccharides constitute the oligoglycome and some of these oligosaccharides have biological activities such as the stimulation of defense mechanisms or growth.
The biological questions that we raise in the 'Glycans and Signaling' team are the following:
1. What are the actors involved in the production of this oligoglycome?
2. What are the biological roles of these molecules during the life of the plant?
3. What are the regulatory pathways involved in the control of oligosaccharide production and their significance for plant morphogenesis and adaptation?
We also explore the role of various molecules such as fungal metabolites or herbicides on cell wall remodeling.
Models, tools and methods
Our team develops approaches in genetics, glycochemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cytology/microscopy and modeling. Our studies focus on Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato.
Societal and economic impacts
The market of biocontrol products in France shows a significant growth and the development of biocontrol solutions for field crops is a priority demand from the industrial actors of the domain. In this context, we propose to identify novel environmentally-friendly natural elicitors that stimulate plant development or protect plants. The discovery of new enzymatic activities will allow the set-up of approaches for deconstruction or valorization of plant biomass. Finally, we are only at the beginning of the characterization of oligoglycome and the determination of its biological functions. Understanding this research axis will allow us to better understand plant development and adaptation.
The plant cell wall is a highly complex and dynamic structure composed of different polysaccharides which tightly interact with each other and can be cleaved into oligosaccharides during plant growth and under abiotic and biotic stresses. These oligosaccharides constitute the oligoglycome and some of these oligosaccharides have biological activities such as the stimulation of defense mechanisms or growth.
The biological questions that we raise in the 'Glycans and Signaling' team are the following:
1. What are the actors involved in the production of this oligoglycome?
2. What are the biological roles of these molecules during the life of the plant?
3. What are the regulatory pathways involved in the control of oligosaccharide production and their significance for plant morphogenesis and adaptation?
We also explore the role of various molecules such as fungal metabolites or herbicides on cell wall remodeling.
Models, tools and methods
Our team develops approaches in genetics, glycochemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cytology/microscopy and modeling. Our studies focus on Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato.
Societal and economic impacts
The market of biocontrol products in France shows a significant growth and the development of biocontrol solutions for field crops is a priority demand from the industrial actors of the domain. In this context, we propose to identify novel environmentally-friendly natural elicitors that stimulate plant development or protect plants. The discovery of new enzymatic activities will allow the set-up of approaches for deconstruction or valorization of plant biomass. Finally, we are only at the beginning of the characterization of oligoglycome and the determination of its biological functions. Understanding this research axis will allow us to better understand plant development and adaptation.
Leader :
Samantha Vernhettes