Imaging of the interactions of plant cells with fungal pathogens

Imaging technologies support research into the structure and function of plants, shed light on plant health, resilience and adaptability, and help answer agroecology-related research questions. The Euro-BioImaging User Forum “Understanding Plant Biology” will showcase how imaging supports cutting edge research in this domain and provide information on funding opportunities for agroecology-related research projects via the AgroServ project. At this event, Tetiana Kalachova, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, will explain how a range of imaging techniques and stainings developed in collaboration with our Advanced Light & Electron Microscopy Node, Prague, help her study the interactions between the fungus Blumeria graminis pv. hordei and plants in two scenarios: a compatible interaction with Hordeum vulgare (barley), and an incompatible interaction with Arabidopsis thaliana. Full abstract below.

What: Euro-BioImaging User Forum “Understanding Plant Biology”

When: October 12, 2023, from 14:00-17:00 CEST

Where: Online

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ABSTRACT

Closer look at the battlefield: imaging of the interactions of plant cells with fungal pathogens

Tetiana Kalachova, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences
In collaboration with the Advanced Light & Electron Microscopy Node Prague, CZ

Plants live in a complex environment and are constantly in contact with microorganisms, including potentially pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The outcome of every particular case of interaction (neutral, mutualistic or pathogenic) is decided shortly after plant cells meet fungal spores or bacterial cells. If the microorganism is recognized as pathogenic, plant cells must quickly redirect their metabolic flows building up defense machinery. On the other hand, pathogens secrete numerous compounds aiming to suppress plant immunity. This makes the interaction spot between plant and pathogen cells a focus point of metabolic activity. 

We use a range of imaging techniques and stainings to study the interactions between the fungus Blumeria graminis pv. hordei and plants in two scenarios: a compatible interaction with barley (Hordeum vulgare), and an incompatible interaction with Arabidopsis thaliana. We have developed a system of quantitative imaging-based evaluation of the infection development for both types of interactions. Recently it was applied to study the role of lignin biosynthesis in resistance in barley, and to investigate the role of phosphatidylinositol-4-kinases and callose synthases in non-host resistance in Arabidopsis.