Root Secreted Chemical Mediation in Beneficial Plant-Microbe Interactions

根际是启动植物和微生物之间的有益和有害相互作用的关键界面，并且已经变得明显的是，植物使用根分泌物来操纵这些相互作用。本研究将探讨根分泌信号作为枯草芽孢杆菌在根际的特异性化学引诱物。芽孢杆菌属在农业中具有巨大的潜在用途，因为其成员能够合成抗微生物代谢物以抵御植物病原体。虽然植物相关的细菌的化学信号已被确定为植物防御的激活剂，植物代谢产物，引起根际细菌的反应还没有得到表征。在这个项目的过程中确定的生物化学和遗传联系和技术开发应该揭示根际相互作用的新方面，并为我们进一步发展对共生和非共生植物微生物协会的理解奠定基础。一个外联部分将丰富克里斯蒂娜学区的STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）倡议。与格拉斯哥高中的科学促进者合作，通过为K-12学生和科学教师创造课堂和实验室之间的互动环境，加强K-12特拉华州全州推荐课程中的生态学内容。

The rhizosphere is the critical interface for initiating both beneficial and harmful interactions between plants and microbes and it has become apparent that plants use root exudates to manipulate these interactions. This project will investigate root-secreted signals that serve as specific chemoattractants for Bacillus subtilis in the rhizosphere. The genus Bacillus has great potential use in agriculture, as its members are able to synthesize antimicrobial metabolites to ward off plant pathogens. While plant-associated bacterial chemical signals have been identified as activators of plant defences, plant metabolites that elicit rhizobacterial responses have yet to be characterized. The biochemical and genetic links identified and techniques developed in the course of this project should uncover new aspects of rhizosphere interactions and form a foundation for the further development of our understanding of both symbiotic and non-symbiotic plant-microbe associations. An outreach component will enrich the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) initiative in the Christina School District. A collaboration with science facilitators at Glasgow High School to strengthen the ecology components in the K-12 Delaware statewide recommended curricula, by creating an interactive environment between the classroom and the laboratory for K-12 students and science teachers.