INNOCHEMBIO

Molecular Regulation of Plant Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance in Protein Crop Faba Bean

Introduction
In the face of climate change, agricultural productivity and food security are critical global challenges exacerbated by population growth and geopolitical instability. To address these issues, understanding plant response mechanisms to various stresses at the molecular level is crucial for developing robust cultivars that can thrive in a changing climate. Persistent crop losses due to plant diseases and sub-optimal growth conditions are significant barriers to global food sufficiency, and climate change further heightens plant vulnerability. Therefore, designing the next generation of crop plants capable of withstanding harsh climate conditions while resisting pathogen attacks is imperative.

Research Context and Objectives
Our research project aims to unravel novel mechanisms in plant stress signaling and translate this knowledge into crop improvement. Although molecular mechanisms in stress signaling have been extensively studied, many signaling pathways remain incomplete, necessitating further exploration. Our team has identified uncharacterized regulators essential for activating plant defense reactions through a mutant screen in Arabidopsis. These gene identities have been confirmed via whole-genome sequencing, setting the stage for groundbreaking discoveries.
The project leverages translational biology to apply molecular breeding techniques to develop climate-resilient crops. We focus on Vicia faba (faba bean), an ancient crop with high protein yield potential, suitable for Nordic climates, yet vulnerable to various stresses. Additionally, we study barley, a globally significant grain, serving as a model for genomic and molecular studies. We address the physiological and molecular function of the newly identified (highly conserved) regulators from Arabidopsis also in crops by exploiting gene editing through CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

Research Opportunities for the PhD Candidate
As a PhD candidate, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge methods in plant biology, including phenomics, gene editing, molecular interaction studies, microscopy, and transcriptomics. By implementing a multidisciplinary approach, you will address the molecular and physiological regulation of novel proteins to enhance plant fitness, targeting regulatory amino acids or interaction partners.
You will contribute to targeting stress resistance pathways in faba bean and/or barley, providing strategies for future crop improvement. This translational biology approach offers potential targets for genetic manipulation, leading to agronomic benefits.

Why Join Us?
The project is built on solid pre-existing data, with novel regulators already identified and gene identities confirmed, providing a head-start for your research. You will be integrated into ongoing consortia, including FabaNova (international) and MARTA (national) for faba bean research, and RecoBar (international) for barley research.
By advancing plant stress tolerance research, this project aims to contribute to overcoming current limitations in understanding molecular regulatory networks necessary for activating plant defense reactions. Your work will contribute to enhancing sustainable and self-sufficient food production in Estonia and globally, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, including “Zero Hunger” and “Responsible Consumption and Production.”
Join us in this highly novel and impactful project, where your research will have the potential to shape the future of crop breeding and sustainability.