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PlantStress Biotech INCT Biotechnological Assets Applied to Drought and Pests in Relevant Crops for Agribusiness About Us Main biotic and abiotic stresses we work Boll weevil Anthomonus grandis Nematode Meloidogyne incognita Meloidogyne javanica Drought Drought tolerance genes Caterpillars Helicoverpa armigera Spodoptera frugiperda What We Do The National Institute of Science and Technology, PlantStress Biotech INCT, integrates various Brazilian research groups and international partners, experts in plant physiology, transcriptomic, epigenetic, proteomic, bioinformatic and functional genomics analyses. The integrative research group represents a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional network with national and international excellence to generate innovative biotechnologies applied to corn, soybean and cotton focused on the tolerance to deficit hydric and pest control (Meloidogyne spp, H. armigera and S. frugiperda ). The project includes bioprospection, isolation, characterization, and functional validation of genes/molecules involved in plant pest resistance and drought tolerance. Read More Our Goals Focusing on agribusiness, the INCT PlantStress Biotech has significantly contributed to boosting productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in the sector. Its research spans from improvements in agricultural practices to the development of innovative technologies. Beyond drought stress and pest control, the generated biotechnological assets hold the potential to influence other critical traits like seed and fruit quality, nutritional value enhancement, and more. This holistic approach positions the INCT as a cornerstone for the advancement of the Brazilian agribusiness, promising a future where innovation and sustainability coalesce for the benefit of society at large. Read More A high-impact program for Brazilian Agriculture 400+ Published Scientific Papers 30+ Researchers Involved 24+ Dev eloped Paten ts 10 Brazilian Research Units 25 Abroad Instituition 60+ Master's 80+ Ph.Ds trained NEWS INCT PlantStress Biotech: Disseminating Knowledge in Educational Institutions 15/10/2024 Read Ver mais Advances in Research from UFRJ and Embrapa on Coffee Gene that Increases Drought Resistance in Soybeans and Cotton 15/10/2024 Read Ver mais INCT PlantStress Biotech’s Participation in the International Congress of Nematology (ICN) in Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France 15/10/2024 Read Ver mais Read All SCIENTIFIC EVENTS Simpósio Brasileiro de Genética Molecular de Plantas 27 - 30 May 2025 More information 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress 19 - 22 October 2025 More information 4th Bio Iberoamérica 3-6 September 2024 More information See All WHERE ARE WE? Associate laboratories Partnerships PlantStress Biotech INCT Contact

INCT Partnership The partnerships of INCT PlantStress Biotech have proven to be essential for its progress. These partnerships essentially originate from the network of collaborations that its members have in various areas of operation. Private Companies Companies collaborating for the development of research projects Read More Graduate Courses Graduate Courses with the participation of leading INCT PlantStress Biotech researchers Read More Associated Labs Laboratories that comprise the INCT PlantStress Biotech Read More International Collaborators International Universities and Research Institutes that collaborate in INCT PlantStrss Biotech Read More Private Companies Partner companies involved in the development of projects for the INCT PlantStress Biotech CORTEVA Support in research for the development of new soybean genotypes. IMAmt Support in research for the development of new cotton genotypes. Bio Bu reau Support startups to formalize their business and develop their company. SEMPRE SEMENTES Support in research for the development of new soybean genotypes. TOLVEG Applied research with microorganisms and plant bio-stimulating substances. SoluBio Ensure sustainability and produce more with less. HAPISEEDS Support in analyze level of positive plant interaction with bioinoculants. ABRAPA Support in research for the development of new cotton genotypes. PEPBioLabs Enzymes and peptides for laboratories and companies. INL Performing interdisciplinary research and deploy and articulating nanotechnology for the benefit of society. Graduate Courses Graduate courses, whose partnership with INCT PlantStress Bioech allows the use of infrastructure, resources, and themes for training development, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Thus, in addition to its scientific and technological character, INCT PlantStress Biotech trains human resources at all levels, either through postgraduate courses in which its researchers are involved or through scholarships for scientific initiation, technological development, and postdoctoral studies (from Capes, CNPq, and FAPs). Postgraduate courses with participation of lead researchers from INCT PlantStress Biotech: Graduate course in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology - Universidade Católica de Brasília Graduate course in Molecular Biology - Universidade de Brasília Graduate course in Biotechnology - Universidade Estadual de Londrina Graduate course in Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology) - Universidade de Brasília Graduate course in Sciences (Microbiology) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Graduate course in Vegetal Biotechnology and Bioprocess - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Graduate course in Plant Biotechnology - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Graduate course in Biotechnology and Biodiversity - Universidade de Brasília Graduate course in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Graduate course in Biotechnological Processes - Universidade Federal do Paraná Graduate course in Biological Sciences (Genetics) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Graduate course in Phytopathology - Universidade de Brasília Alan Buddie - CABI; Bakeham Lane; Egham; Surrey TW20 9TY; UK – E-mail: a.buddie@cabi.org Ana Zotta Mota - Centre de Recherche Développement Nestlé, 101 Av. Gustave Eiffel, 37390 Notre-Dame-d'Oé, France – E-mail: anazottamota@gmail.com Angharad Gatehouse - School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK - E-mail: a.m.r.gatehouse@ncl.ac.uk David Bertioli - Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602 GA, USA - E-mail: bertioli@uga.edu Deepak Sharma - Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) - Raipur, 492012, India – E-mail: deepak1962@igkv.ac.in Diana Fernandez - IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, IPME, F-34398 Montpellier, France – E-mail: diana.fernandez@ird.fr Dirk Inze – Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium - E-mail: dirk.inze@psb.vib-ugent.be Etienne GJ Danchin - INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Sophia-Antipolis, France – E-mail: etienne.danchin@inrae.fr Franc-Christophe Baurens - CIRAD, UMR AGAP Institut, F-34398 Montpellier, France – E-mail: franc-christophe.baurens@cirad.fr .  Gilbert Joseph Engler - INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Sophia-Antipolis, France – E-mail: gilbertengler@gmail.com Henry Daniel - Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030, USA - E-mail: hdaniell@upenn.edu Jan Leach - Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA – E-mail: jan.leach@colostate.edu Janice de Almeida Engler - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique – INRAE, France – E-mail: janice.de-almeida@inrae.fr Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes - Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA – E-mail: jurat@utk.edu Kazuo Nakashima – Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8686, Japan - E-mail: kazuo.nakashima@affrc.go.jp Laurens Pauwels – Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium – E-mail: laurens.pauwels@psb.vib-ugent.be Lucia Colombo - Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy – E-mail: lucia.colombo@unimi.it Luis Willian Arge - Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108-6026, USA – E-mail: l.willianpacheco@gmail.com Martin Crespi - Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRAE, Université Evry, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay, France - E-mail: martin.crespi@cnrs.fr Martin Kater - Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy - E-mail: martin.kater@unimi.it Nelson Saibo - Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), Oeiras, Portugal – E-mail: saibo@itqb.unl.pt Nicolas Roux - Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier, France – E-mail: n.roux@cgiar.org Pat Heslop Harrison - University of Leicester, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Institute for Environmental Futures, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK – E-mail: pat.heslop-harrison@bbsrc.ac.uk Peggy Ozias - Department of Horticulture and Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, 31793, USA – E-mail: pozias@uga.edu Ping He - Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA – E-mail: pinghemi@umich.edu Randall Wisser - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique – INRAE, France - E-mail: randall.wisser@inrae.fr Raquel Chan - Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina - E-mail: rchan@fbcb.unl.edu.ar Rod Wing - Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia – E-mail: rod.wing@kaust.edu.sa Shuangxia Jin - National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China - E-mail: jsx@mail.hzau.edu.cn Soraya Leal-Bertioli - Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, GA, USA – E-mail: sorayab@uga.edu Todd Michael - The Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA - E-mail: tmichael@salk.edu Yiping Qi - Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA – E-mail: yiping@umd.edu Zhiyong Wang - Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA – E-mail: zwang@carnegiescience.edu International Colaborators

< Back INCT PlantStress results are presented in Symposium Between the 23th and 27th of July 2023, the Siconbiol - 17th Symposium on Biological Control and 2nd Latin American Symposium on Biological Control promoted by the Entomological Society of Brazil (SEB) took place in the cities of Juazeiro-BA and Petrolina - PE. Considered the largest event on biological control in Latin America, it brought together researchers, students, and professionals from the productive sector. The event addressed the latest advances in different areas of biological control, such as the use of bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes, parasitoids, predators and much more in the control of pests and diseases. Although the agricultural area is still the largest audience, the event also covers the health area, mainly with the increased use of biological control of medically important insects. Presentation of INCT PlantStress Biotech results During the event, one of the lectures was given by Dr. Carolina Morgante, who presented the results obtained by the research group of the Plant-Pest Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP) of Embrapa/Cenargen and which is linked to the INCT PlantStress. Dr Carolina showed important results that can be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as cutting-edge tools for insect control. The use of genetic engineering, with genetic transformation techniques and RNAi technology are among the strategies used by researchers. Together with the productive sector, INCT PlantStress is always developing technologies for more profitable and sustainable agricultural production.

< Back 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress 19 - 22 October 2025 📅 SAVE THE DATE: 8th Brazilian Biotechnology Congress! Join us in Natal, RN, from October 19-22, 2025 at the Praiamar Natal Hotel & Convention for the 8th edition of the Brazilian Biotechnology Congress. This year’s theme is "Biotech for Sustainable Agriculture", bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to discuss the latest advancements in agricultural biotechnology. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to network and explore sustainable solutions in biotech. 👉 Learn more and register: even3.com.br/biotec2025 Hosted by SBBiotec and partners: Embrapa, ABRAPA, Bayer, and more. #Biotechnology #SustainableAgriculture #BiotechCongress #Brazil2025

< Back INCT PlantStress Biotech Coordinator Receives World’s Top Entomology Award The coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech, Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa, was awarded the prestigious researcher Certificate of Distinction by the Council of the International Congress of Entomology on August 25 in Kyoto, Japan. The esteemed accolade is recognized as the highest honor in entomology worldwide and was presented during the XXVII International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2024). This distinguished award is bestowed every four years to researchers or research groups that have made remarkable contributions to advancing the understanding of entomology. Dr. Grossi-de-Sa’s recognition highlights her profound impact on the field, showcasing her innovative research and unwavering commitment to overcoming critical challenges in biotechnology pest control. As a leader in research, Dr. Grossi-de-Sa utilizes advanced genetic engineering technologies, including RNA interference (RNAi) and genome editing, to develop plants resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Her research focuses on creating transgenic cotton plants that withstand the cotton boll weevil, significantly benefiting the Brazilian cotton industry. Additionally, she is developing genetically modified soybean and cotton crops resistant to caterpillars, root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp), and tolerant to drought.

< Back CGF5: nova linhagem de trigo para o cerrado, resistente ao brusone O Centro de Genômica e Fitomelhoramento da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), em colaboração com o Programa Trigo da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), desenvolveu a linhagem de trigo CGF5, adaptada para o Cerrado. Testada em condições de sequeiro e irrigação, a CGF5 apresentou alta produtividade e moderada resistência à brusone, uma doença fúngica que pode causar perdas significativas na produção. A resistência à brusone é de extrema importância, pois essa doença é responsável por grandes prejuízos nas lavouras de trigo, especialmente em regiões com clima quente e úmido, como o Cerrado. A capacidade da CGF5 de tolerar a brusone contribui para a estabilidade da produção e a segurança alimentar. Com os ensaios de Valor de Cultivo e Uso (VCU) finalizados, o processo de registro e proteção da cultivar está em andamento. Os estudos, coordenados pelos professores Antonio Costa de Oliveira (UFPel) e Maicon Nardino (UFV), estão em desenvolvimento desde 2022. Na foto em destaque, vemos a linhagem CGF5 em uma parcela de produção de sementes no Departamento de Agronomia da UFV. Na foto em destaque, no primeiro plano, a linhagem CGF5 em parcela de produção de sementes nas dependências do Departamento de Agronomia da UFV.

< Back Coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa CENARGEN recebe prêmio no Japão A Dra. Fatima Grossi de Sá, coordenadora do INCT PlantStress Biotech e pesquisadora da Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, recebeu no dia 25 de agosto, em Kyoto, no Japão, o Certificado de Distinção pelo Conselho do Congresso Internacional de Entomologia, considerado o prêmio máximo da área no mundo. A entrega foi feita durante o XXVII International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2024). O prêmio é concedido a cada quatro anos a pesquisadores ou grupos de pesquisa com contribuição de destaque para o avanço do conhecimento em entomologia. “Sinto-me verdadeiramente honrada por ter sido nomeada”, afirmou Dra. Grossi de Sá. Seu trabalho envolve estratégias de controle de insetos praga, com ênfase nos ativos biotecnológicos e suas aplicações no desenvolvimento de produtos para o agronegócio. A Dra. Grossi de Sá é líder de pesquisa na construção de estratégias de controle de pragas, utilizando tecnologias de melhoramento genético de precisão, incluindo RNA de interferência (RNAi) e edição de genoma. Seu grupo de pesquisa vem desenvolvendo as primeiras plantas transgênicas de algodão resistentes ao bicudo do algodoeiro, atendendo a uma demanda urgente do setor produtivo e da indústria brasileira do algodão. O grupo também tem gerado plantas de soja e algodão resistentes a outras pragas agrícolas, como lagartas e nematoides formadores de galhas. Estímulo “A premiação é um grande estímulo para nós, pesquisadores, que atuamos com entusiasmo e determinação, seguindo nosso coração e nossa visão acadêmica e científica, muitas vezes nos arriscando a investigar áreas novas, emergentes e de demanda do país e dos setores diretamente ligados às nossas pesquisas. Estou orgulhosa do que venho realizando e alcançando com este trabalho”, destacou a Dra. Grossi de Sá. Ela agradeceu a todos os que a nomearam e também a todas as pessoas “incrivelmente talentosas com quem venho desenvolvendo as pesquisas ao longo dos anos.” “Essa premiação não é só minha, estende-se a todos que têm contribuído e dado suporte à minha jornada, especialmente à minha equipe e aos estudantes, cuja dedicação e paixão pela ciência têm sido cruciais para o alcance dos resultados e do sucesso”, assinalou a pesquisadora, ressaltando que esse reconhecimento será uma inspiração para jovens pesquisadores seguirem seus trabalhos com determinação e acreditando no sucesso. Texto modificado de Núcleo de Comunicação Organizacional (Embrapa Cenargen)

< Back Underwater 'breathing' plants could be key to stress-resistant crops Wetland plants have a high tolerance against flooding due to the formation of "lysigenous aerenchyma," air channels that help transfer gases to the submerged roots. These channels also help the plant withstand drought and nutrient deficiency. Now, scientists from Japan investigate the underlying mechanism of aerenchyma formation to understand the phenomenon better, opening doors to the development of crops that are resilient against extreme weather changes. Floods and droughts are the main environmental disasters responsible for most crop failures. Aerenchyma formation can help crops cope with these environmental stresses. However, it is not commonly observed in non-wetland species like wheat and maize, which are staple food crops in certain areas of the world. Researchers Takaki Yamauchi and Mikio Nakazono from Nagoya University, Japan, have surveyed literature on the topic to get a concrete overview of the various factors involved in aerenchyma formation. "If we can genetically control the timing and amount of lysigenous aerenchyma formation in roots of all agronomically important crops, such as maize, wheat and soybean, the global crop production loss could be dramatically reduced," says Dr. Nakazono. Dr. Yamauchi and Dr. Nakazono suggest imagining the lysigenous aerenchyma to a snorkel used to breathe underwater. During flooding, the roots get cut off from oxygen and other vital gases needed for survival. In response, the plant creates air pathways connecting the submerged regions of the plant to the parts above water. Similar to a snorkel, these pathways help the plant "breathe" by transporting gases to the submerged roots. Moreover, the air channels reduce the energy requirement for the breathing process and can help the plant conserve energy during extreme conditions of drought or nutrient deficit. The researchers found that a phytohormone called "auxin" is required for the formation of aerenchyma during normal root growth, and identified two factors leading to the induction of aerenchyma formation in response to flooding. The phenomenon begins when the roots are submerged underwater in aerobic conditions. The restrictions to gas exchange cause ethylene to accumulate in the roots, which encourage the production of respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) -- an enzyme responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. As it turns out, the released ROS triggers cell death in the tissues, forming cavities for the passage of gases. The RBOH can also be activated by the presence of calcium (Ca2+) ions that are transported from the apoplast (water pathways). Certain plants have calcium-dependent protein kinases that use Ca2+ to add phosphates to the RBOH, stimulating it to produce ROS. This effect occurs at later stages as the plants gradually experience oxygen-deficient conditions after prolonged underwater submersion. While aerenchyma is mostly associated with plants that have adapted to soils with high water content, it can also develop in upland plants under drought and nutrient deficiency. Low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, essential nutrients required for plant growth, was found to increase the ethylene sensitivity, stimulating the formation of aerenchyma. Moreover, ethylene was also a common factor in triggering aerenchyma in maize, offering a way to improve the crop's resilience. "The increase in ethylene sensitivity could be an effective strategy to stimulate aerenchyma formation in the absence of restricted gas diffusion," speculates Dr. Yamauchi. While the mechanism behind aerenchyma formation remains uncertain, suggesting the need for further research, the findings of this study open up the possibility of improving crop resilience and paving the way for better food security in the wake of climate change. The new paper has been based on the following two papers: "Fine control of aerenchyma and lateral root development through AUX/IAA- and ARF-dependent auxin signaling." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 116, 2019, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907181116 "An NADPH oxidase RBOH functions in rice roots during lysigenous aerenchyma formation under oxygen-deficient conditions." The Plant Cell , 29, 2017, DOI: 10.1105/tpc.16.00976 Funding Information: This study was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency PRESTO grants JPMJPR17Q8 to T.Y. and Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) (MEXT KAKENHI grant JP20H05912) to M.N. Source: Materials provided by Nagoya University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

< Back Simpósio Brasileiro de Genética Molecular de Plantas 27 - 30 May 2025 O Simpósio Brasileiro de Genética Molecular de Plantas (VIII SBGMP) é um evento de frequência bianual realizado desde 2007. Iniciativa de pesquisadores da área vegetal de diversas regiões do Brasil e apoiado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Genética (SBG). O IX SBGMP será realizado em maio de 2025, em Búzios no Rio de Janeiro.

< Back Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira talked about his latest paper in Plant Biology 2022 Conference From Plant Biology 2022: Plants vs Insects Session Recap At Plant Biology 2022, a varied group of speakers presented the latest advances from one of the oldest wars that takes place in our world: Plants versus insects, during the “Plants Versus Insects” concurrent symposium on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Attendees heard news from multiple front lines: cotton, cowpea, and Arabidopsis, and I served as a correspondent to share the details of this gathering with the global plant science community. Let’s go! Cotton vs Cotton Boll Weevil During the first talk, Chair Dr. Marcio Alves-Ferreira , from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, talked about his latest paper in Current Plant Biology . They aimed to identify molecular players mediating the defense response of cotton ( Gossypium spp) to the Cotton Boll Weevil (CBW, Anthonomus grandis ), an insect pest that attacks reproductive structures causing severe loss in cotton fiber production. Plants identify herbivores through Herbivore-Associated Molecular Patterns (HAMPs), such as molecules present in insect oral secretions (a combination of regurgitated material from the gut and saliva). HAMPs are recognized by membrane receptors that can activate Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAKPs), that participate in the transduction of the signal leading to the establishment of the defense response (see Snoeck et al., 2022 ). The series of events that take place from the recognition of patterns to the set-up of the inducible defenses is collectively known as Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). PTI has been deeply studied in the interaction between plants and pathogens (for more information and the newest research on the topic, see more from Plant Biology 2022 via Plant Biology EXTENDED, coming soon!). Dr. Alves-Ferreira and collaborators found that different CBW extracts, such as oral secretions or egg extracts, were able to activate MAPKs in cotton and in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, the activation of MAPKs was independent of previously characterized receptors required for the defense against bacteria or fungus. Together, their results showed that HAMPs from CBW activate PTI, although the receptors involved remain unknown ( de Moura et al., 2022 ). Dr. Alves-Ferreira also mentioned that they are working on the analysis of a RNAseq data from cotton leaves infested with CBW in order to keep dinging in the molecular pathways behind the cotton-CBW battle. Stay alert for news! Know Your Weapons: Not All Jasmonates are the Same! The next talk was about one of my favorite topics: Jasmonates. For those who haven’t had the chance to talk to me (maybe the lucky ones, he!), jasmonates are a group of lipid-derived compounds that regulate the balance between growth and defense ( Wasternack and Feussner, 2018 ). Ariel Sorg, a PhD student from the Gilroy lab (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA), found that specific jasmonates are required for different responses, i.e., some jasmonates trigger defenses against herbivores, while others are required for growth repression. By the way, I must mention that they have designed a robot that regularly touches plants to induce stress responses. Besides being super cool, the robot could mimic signals derived from flying insects casually touching leaves. Cowpea vs Lepidoptera (with some help from Nicotiana benthamiana and Manduca sexta ) Inceptin, a HAMP present in Lepidoptera oral secretions ( Schmelz et al., 2006 ; Schmelz et al., 2007 ), enhance the expression of defense genes in cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ), such as Kunitz trypsin inhibitors (KTI). KTI are anti-insect proteins that affect the digestion of leaf tissues in the larvae guts, and therefore, are detrimental for growing. KTIs contain a variable number of cysteines that form disulfide bonds required for protein structure and stability ( Blow et al., 1974 ). PhD student Natalia Guayazan Palacios presented her work with the Steinbrenner lab (University of Washington, USA) where they designed a heterologous system to study whether the number of cysteines can also impact KTI anti-herbivore function. They expressed different versions of KTIs in N. benthamiana and performed bioassays with M. sexta . After letting the caterpillars feed on the leaves, the researchers recorded the growth of the caterpillars, and then extracted proteins from different sections of the digestive system of the insects. They followed the presence of KTIs and, as control, peroxidases (inceptin-induced defense proteins with a different activity) by western blot. Only KTIs were found in the guts, which is consistent with their anti-digestive function. Therefore, the N. benthamiana-M. sexta system can be a powerful tool to test protease inhibitors as potential direct defenses. And, with respect to the role of the cysteines in KTI activity, I think we may have interesting news soon! Plants vs Aphids vs Ladybugs To keep in line with the multiple advantages of using N. benthamiana as tool, I will continue with the talk of Dr. Georg Jander from the Boyce Thompson Institute, USA. RNA interference (RNAi) technologies are emerging as a powerful tool to control pests. They rely on engineering a plant to express a RNAi that targets insect genes needed for growth or development. However, if the RNAi is not species-specific, it may damage beneficial insects. Dr. Jander and collaborators used N. bentamiana plants expressing a RNAi against green peach aphids ( Myzus persicae ), and evaluate if the RNAi was transmitted to, and could negatively affect ladybugs ( Coccinella septempunctata ) that prey on the aphids. For those like me who love ladybugs: don’t worry! Even if RNAi was found in the ladybugs, it can be designed in a way that is only detrimental to aphids. Phew! Arabidopsis vs Aphids Finally, also belonging to the aphid world, there was the presentation of Dr. Keyan Zhu-Salzman (Texas A&M University, USA), where she explained a recent paper from her lab about how plants coordinate defenses with their daily rhythm. Circadian clock-regulated defenses allow plants to anticipate pest attacks and allocate resources at the most beneficial time of the day, thus minimizing metabolic cost. A previous report found that CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1), a well-known central circadian clock regulator, link daily cycles with defenses against Trichoplusia ni caterpillars ( Goodspeed et al., 2012 ). Dr. Zhu-Salzman and her team found that although a functional circadian clock confer resistance to green peach aphids, CCA1 over expression lines, that lack circadian rhythm, were more resistant to aphid feeding. To solve the mystery behind this apparent contradiction, they performed in-depth data mining using published transcriptomic data sets and found that CCA1 regulates indolic glucosinolates (iGS) biosynthesis. Their results showed that CCA1 has a role in both circadian dependent and independent defenses ( Lei et al., 2019 ). Source: ASPN

< Back More efficient maize growth Maize has a significantly higher productivity rate compared with many other crops. The particular leaf anatomy and special form of photosynthesis (referred to as 'C4') developed during its evolution allow maize to grow considerably faster than comparable plants. As a result, maize needs more efficient transport strategies to distribute the photoassimilates produced during photosynthesis throughout the plant. Researchers at HHU have now discovered a phloem loading mechanism that has not been described before -- the bundle sheath surrounding the vasculature as the place for the actual transport of compounds such as sugars or amino acids. The development of this mechanism could have been the decisive evolutionary step towards the higher transport rate that has made maize plants especially successful and useful. It is also likely linked to the more effective C4 photosynthesis used by maize compared with other plants, which only use C3 photosynthesis. The study was led by Dr. Ji Yun Kim and Prof. Dr. Wolf B. Frommer from the Institute of Molecular Physiology at HHU. Plant leaves have different structures on the upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) sides, and each side performs different tasks. In maize, for example, sucrose transporters (SWEET) act in the `bundle sheath cells' (which frame the vascular bundle like a wreath) on the abaxial side of the leaf. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, sugars released via SWEETs from phloem parenchyma cells are transported directly into the neighbouring companion cells via active transport. In maize, sugar is released in the direction of phloem by two large bundle sheath cells. The large surface of the bundle sheath cells compared to phloem parenchyma allows much higher transport rates. Compared to Arabidopsis, maize could transport sugar more effectively. Doctoral student and first author Margaret Bezrutczyk from HHU emphasize: "The bundle sheath cells arranged in a wreath look the same at first glance. The single cell sequencing approach we used made it possible for the first time to distinguish between different types of bundle sheath cells in a maize leaf. With this technology, we expect that more cell types, especially those in the vascular bundles will be discovered in the future." Institute Head Prof. Frommer emphasizes the significance of the finding, saying: "Maize plants are extremely productive due to their C4 photosynthesis. It is conceivable that the productivity of rice or other crops can be increased by transferring the loading mechanism from maize to these crops." Source: Materials provided by Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf . Original written by Arne Claussen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Margaret Bezrutczyk, Nora R. Zöllner, Colin P. S. Kruse, Thomas Hartwig, Tobias Lautwein, Karl Köhrer, Wolf B. Frommer and Ji-Yun Kim. Evidence for phloem loading via the abaxial bundle sheath cells in maize leaves . The Plant Cell , 2021 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koaa055

< Back Coordinator of the INCT PlantStress Biotech participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum during the Brazilian Congress of Entomology The researcher and coordinator of INCT PlantStress Biotech, Maria Fatima Grossi de Sa, participated in the RNAi Discussion Forum held on September 24, 2024, during the XXIX Brazilian Congress of Entomology in Uberlândia. At the event, she presented a talk titled 'RNAi Approach for Insect Pest Control: Advances, Applications, and Challenges.' Professors Diogo Manzano Galdeano from UFV and José Dijair Antonino from UFRPE also participated in the forum. The discussions addressed various aspects of using RNAi technology for controlling insect pests, combating insect vectors of phytopathogens, and the potential application of biocontrol and RNAi technologies in insect pest management.