NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology: Studying the role of sphingolipids in membrane trafficking and plasma membrane dynamics in plants

这项行动资助了2022财年的NSF生物学博士后研究奖学金，扩大了生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与。该研究金支持研究员的一项研究和培训计划，该计划将增加在生物学领域代表性不足的群体的参与。植物细胞膜作为与外界环境交流（信号）的平台。这种膜不断改变其脂质（脂肪）和蛋白质的分子组成，以响应发育和环境信号，这一过程称为膜重塑，对植物适应和生存至关重要。鞘脂是植物膜中丰富的脂质，其在胁迫条件如冷冻、干旱和病原体感染期间有助于发育和信号传导。这个项目将分析鞘脂如何参与膜重塑和细胞间通讯。研究这些过程是如何发生的，对于了解植物如何适应压力条件很重要。这方面的知识是相关的生物技术的进步，利用植物，并将提供深入了解膜贩运在其他生物体。该研究员将接受针对不同受众的指导和科学传播实践方面的培训。更广泛的影响活动包括为植物科学家举办一个科学交流研讨会，讨论如何与外行观众分享他们的研究成果。这项研究的目标是了解植物鞘脂如何影响质膜动力学和运输过程，如内吞作用、内体运输和细胞外囊泡的形成。 该项目研究了鞘脂水平增加或减少的拟南芥突变体，以1）使用遗传和分子方法结合先进的显微成像分析质膜货物的囊泡运输和内体分选的分子基础，2）探索质膜动力学和细胞外囊泡形成的机制，并实施生物化学技术。培训活动包括培养生物化学和先进显微技术方面的技能，如共聚焦显微镜和电子显微镜以及电子断层扫描。 扩大参与的努力包括与植物科学家合作，寻找创新的方式来交流他们的研究，并让更广泛的受众参与科学主题。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2022, Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology. The Fellowship supports a research and training plan for the Fellow that will increase the participation of groups underrepresented in biology. The plant cell membrane functions as a platform for communication (signaling) with the outside environment. This membrane constantly changes its molecular composition of lipids (fats) and proteins in response to developmental and environmental signals in a process known as membrane remodeling that is critical for plant adaptation and survival. Sphingolipids are abundant lipids in plant membranes that contribute to development and signaling during stress conditions such as freezing, drought, and pathogen infection. This project will analyze how sphingolipids participate in membrane remodeling and cell to cell communication. Investigating how these processes occur is important to understand how plants can adapt to stressful conditions. This knowledge is relevant for biotechnological advances using plants and will provide insights into membrane trafficking in other organisms. The fellow will receive training in mentoring and science communication practices for diverse audiences. Broader impact activities include developing a science communication workshop for plant scientists on how to share their research with a lay audience.The goal of this research is to understand how plant sphingolipids affect plasma membrane dynamics and trafficking processes such as endocytosis, endosomal trafficking, and formation of extracellular vesicles. This project examines Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with increased or reduced levels of sphingolipids to 1) analyze the molecular basis of vesicular trafficking and endosomal sorting of plasma membrane cargo using genetic and molecular approaches coupled with advanced microscopy imaging, and 2) explore the mechanisms for plasma membrane dynamics and formation of extracellular vesicles implementing biochemistry techniques. Training activities include building skillsets in biochemistry and advanced microscopy techniques, such as confocal and electron microscopy, and electron tomography. Broadening participation efforts include working with plant scientist to find creative ways to communicate their research and to engage a broader audience in scientific topics.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.