Just like all other organisms plants communicate, not only with their own species, but also with hundreds of other organisms surrounding them, using the language of chemistry. In this project, you will unravel the biosynthesis of a triterpenoid hybrid chemical signal that is jointly made by tomato and the microbes associated with its roots. We believe this signal is important for both plant and microbes, and, intriguingly, it is also perceived by parasitic nematodes. You will uncover how this language is created in the plant through transcriptome and metabolomics data analysis and biochemical characterization of plant genes. By knocking out or silencing candidate genes you will study the function of this language for plants, microbes and nematodes. You will collaborate with a PhD candidate and a technician who will work on the microbial side in the same project.
If you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research team and are eager to contribute to the understanding of how plants interact with other organisms, then the
Plant Hormone Biology group, which is part of the
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam, is the place to be.
The mission of the Plant Hormone Biology group is to understand the chemical communication of plants with other organisms in their environment. With an international and diverse team of post-docs, PhDs and technicians with expertise varying from analytical chemistry to biochemistry and molecular biology we study how plants use signaling molecules to affect the behavior of other organisms in the rhizosphere. This includes communication with microbial communities that have been shown to play a crucial role in the protection of plants against a range of stresses.
Our research is aimed at understanding the biological relevance of this chemical communication and use it as a basis for improving resistance and harnessing the potential of beneficial root microbes resulting in improved stress resilience in crops for sustainable food production with reduced inputs.
What are you going to do? You will be responsible for the identification of the tomato genes - and characterisation of the enzymes they encode - involved in the biosynthesis of the triterpenoid signal. Biosynthetic candidate genes will be functionally characterized, using heterologous expression and gene silencing approaches. Finally, you will knock out a selection of the most interesting genes in tomato by stable transformation using CRISPR/Cas9. Through these knockout lines you will study the function of the triterpenoid product for plants, microbes and nematodes.
Tasks and responsibilities: - complete a PhD thesis in four years;
- perform your experiments in a systematic and well controlled manner and keep accurate records by
properly documenting and organizing your work;
- be an active member of the research group and take responsibility for shared tasks. Discuss your work
with group members. Incorporate feedback and give input to others;
- present your results at (inter)national scientific meetings;
- help writing project reports;
- develop you academic, professional and personal skills;
- take a leading role in writing and publishing manuscripts;
- participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training program and the training program of the
Experimental Plant Sciences graduate school;
- assist in teaching and supervising Bachelor and Master students;