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为植物疾病和免疫的分子遗传学研究提供便利。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。以前的研究已经在植物对致病病原体的免疫反应方面提供了重要的见解。然而，我们对气候因素(如高温)如何在分子水平上影响植物免疫的理解才刚刚开始。我的研究计划的中心是通过定义和剖析不断变化的环境中植物免疫信号的机制来解决这一主要的知识鸿沟。所要求的组织培养箱将用于解决两个主要研究目标：(1)发现调节温度的植物免疫的新调节器；(2)确定免疫的温度抑制在植物界是否保守。具体地说，我们将使用该小室进行高通量遗传筛选(Aim 1)和通过植物转化/组织培养进行CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑，以从功能上表征参与免疫的候选番茄基因(Aim 2)。这些设备将主要供我的实验室使用，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参与这一过程的新基因，来揭开温度对植物疾病和免疫的深刻而神秘的影响。我们还将通过调查多个植物物种来揭示温度敏感的植物免疫途径的进化意义。我们预期的发现将在气候变暖的情况下推进植物抗病能力的现有知识，可能使加拿大和世界各地的疾病和气候适应计划受益。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。这应该会为他们梦寐以求的职业生涯做好准备，无论是在学术界、政府部门还是私营部门。

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.