Deciphering Molecular Determinants of Plant Resilience and Biomass Production

Plant diffusion barriers are specialized cell wall modifications that play critical roles in protecting plants from environmental stresses and offer great potential for improving plant resilience. Key examples include the cuticle covering aerial tissues, the endodermis found in all vascular plants, and the cork, which protects thickening organs. These barriers form through the deposition of hydrophobic biopolymers, which provide impermeability and stiffness to the cell wall. Impaired biopolymer synthesis reduces plant tolerance to stresses like drought, salinity, and heat. Hydrophobic biopolymers also constitute a substantial portion of plant biomass, making them key targets for biotechnological strategies to enhance carbon sequestration and improve resilience.

Despite their significance, the regulatory mechanisms controlling biopolymer synthesis and deposition into plant cell walls remain poorly understood. Moreover, the potential to utilize these biopolymers for technological purposes is largely untapped. This project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that drive the formation and evolution of plant diffusion barriers, with a focus on the role of a conserved enzyme family in biopolymer synthesis and the evolution of regulatory networks involved in barrier differentiation. The findings will expand our understanding of biopolymer production and open new avenues for engineering plants with enhanced resilience and carbon storage capabilities.

Contact :

  • Freiburg : Laura Ragni

  • Strasbourg : Hugues Renault