Environmentally controlled tissue culture chamber for high-throughput genetic screens and functional studies in plant immunity under warming conditions

环境控制的植物组织培养室被要求促进植物疾病和免疫的分子遗传学研究。在全球范围内，植物病害对农业和自然生态系统具有破坏性影响。以前的研究为植物对致病病原体的免疫反应提供了重要的见解。然而，我们对气候因素（如温度升高）如何在分子水平上影响植物免疫的理解才刚刚开始出现。我的研究计划集中在通过定义和剖析植物免疫信号在不断变化的环境中的机制来解决这一重大知识差距。所要求的组织培养室将用于解决两个主要的研究目标：(1)发现温度调节植物免疫的新调节剂；(2)确定温度对免疫的抑制在植物界是否保守。具体来说，我们将使用该室进行高通量遗传筛选（目标1）和通过植物转化/组织培养进行CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑，以功能表征参与免疫的候选番茄基因（目标2）。该设备将主要由我的实验室使用，但也支持Laurier同事的各种研究项目，包括Matthew Smith（分子植物细胞生物学），Allison McDonald（比较生理学和生物能量学），Kevin Stevens（植物生态学）和Mihai Costea（寄生植物）。通过整合多种方法，我的研究计划将通过识别介导这一过程的新基因来揭示温度对植物疾病和免疫的深刻而神秘的影响。我们还将通过研究多种植物物种来解开温度敏感植物免疫途径的进化意义。我们预期的发现将推进目前在变暖气候下植物抗病性的知识，潜在地有利于加拿大和全世界的疾病和气候恢复计划。我的HQP将获得并提高他们在使用所需设备和其他尖端技术进行研究方面的知识和技能。这应该为他们的梦想职业做好准备，无论是在学术界、政府还是私营部门。

The environmentally controlled plant tissue culture chamber is being requested to facilitate molecular genetic studies on plant disease and immunity. Globally, plant diseases have devastating impacts on agricultural and natural ecosystems. Previous research has provided significant insights on plant immune responses to disease-causing pathogens. However, our understanding of how climatic factors (e.g. elevated temperature) impact plant immunity at the molecular level is only starting to emerge. My research program is centred around addressing this major knowledge gap by defining and dissecting the mechanisms of plant immune signalling in a changing environment. The requested tissue culture chamber will be used to address two main research aims: (1) discover novel regulators of temperature-regulated plant immunity; and (2) determine if temperature suppression of immunity is conserved in the plant kingdom. Specifically, we will use the chamber for high-throughput genetic screening (Aim 1) and for CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing by plant transformation/tissue culture to functionally characterize candidate tomato genes involved in immunity (Aim 2). The equipment will be primarily utilized by my laboratory, but also support the diverse research programs of Laurier colleagues, including Matthew Smith (molecular plant cell biology), Allison McDonald (comparative physiology and bioenergetics), Kevin Stevens (plant ecology) and Mihai Costea (parasitic plants). By integrating multiple approaches, my research program will unravel the profound yet enigmatic effect of temperature on plant disease and immunity by identifying new genes mediating this process. We will also untangle the evolutionary significance of temperature-sensitive plant immune pathways by investigating multiple plant species. Our anticipated discoveries will advance the current knowledge in plant disease resistance in a warming climate, potentially benefitting disease- and climate-resilience programs in Canada and worldwide. My HQP will acquire and enhance their knowledge and skills in conducting research using the requested equipment together with other cutting-edge technologies. This should prepare them for their dream careers, whether in academia, government or the private sector.