Advanced Platform for Plant Stress Signalling Analysis

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We are requesting funding to purchase equipment for our on-going research programs that are supported by NSERC. We have established a Platform for Plant Stress Signaling Analysis at the Department of Cell & Systems Biology at the University of Toronto that has supported scientific discoveries and HQP training for the last 17 years. However, two core pieces of equipment, a floor model centrifuge and a gel imaging system are currently malfunctioning, thus our research is significantly affected. Without replacing existing equipment, our NSERC-funded research programs and associated HQP training will be severely impacted. Research supported by this platform aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of plant stress signalling and responses. Because plants are rooted in place, they cannot simply escape unfavourable conditions. Therefore, plants must sense and respond to their environment. Molecular signal transduction pathways that trigger cellular responses underlie every plant's capacity to sense and respond to stresses. In today's changing climate conditions, Canadian plant ecosystems and crops are exposed to increasing levels of stresses such as drought, salt, and heat, and pathogens are continually evolving new mechanisms to cause plant diseases. Four co-applicants' groups representing over 30 trainees, are requesting funds to replace two core equipment, a floor-model centrifuge and a state-of-the-art imaging system. The centrifuge will allow to isolate biomolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites) from cells and the imaging system will allow researchers to view, characterize, and quantify these biomolecules. The research programs supported by the proposed Platform for Plant Stress Signalling Analysis aim to uncover molecular mechanisms of plant signalling pathways and plant responses to stress via synergistic approaches. Specifically, these research programs aim to: 1) Dissect plant immune signalling and environmental impacts on plant immunity 2) Characterize plant disease progression and plant responses to pathogens via high-throughput, systems-level analyses 3) Uncover the molecular mechanisms of plant cell wall signaling to develop more resilient crops and improved plant products and 4) Leverage large datasets and systems-wide analyses to understand plant resilience under drought stress conditions. Outcomes from these research programs include characterizing the molecular pathways of plant stress signal transduction, understanding the mechanisms of plant resilience to stress, developing systems-level tools for plant biology, and providing high-quality instruction and hands-on experiences to the next generation of Canadian-trained scientists. These research outcomes have significant potential to inform agricultural practices by providing tools to detect and mitigate plant stress before it impacts crop yield and by providing molecular targets to develop stress-resistant plants via traditional plant breeding or genetic modification.