Molecular mechanism of action of plant immune receptors

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The project aims to improve our understanding of how plant resistance proteins function and to find new sources of these proteins. Effector-triggered immunity is a key mechanism by which plants detect invading pathogens and trigger immune responses. In this process, a pathogen effector (avirulence) protein is recognised by a plant resistance (NLR) protein. Building on genetic, biochemical and structural work on the flax, Arabidopsis and wheat immune receptors, the project focuses on understanding the molecular basis of action of NLR proteins using structural biology approaches complemented by mutagenesis and functional assays, in model as well as crop pathosystems. The new knowledge may support the manipulation of immune responses to reduce the economic and environmental implications of plant diseases.