Molecular basis of root mechanical homeostasis in the context of substrate compaction

Objetivo

Global warming and intensive farming are responsible for heavy soil compaction, resulting in hard soils with low water content. This
sets very challenging conditions for plant growth and the penetration of roots into the soil: roots must keep adapting the mechanical
properties of their cell wall to tackle variations of the mechanical constraints in the soil and maintain growth. Mechanostasis describes
this process of adaptation to maintain mechanical homeostasis. In this project, we aim to identify new molecular pathways
responsible for root mechanostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana using random mutagenesis followed by screening on various soil
substitutes mimicking soil compaction and water scarcity, and a single cell RNA sequencing on plants grown in light or compacted
soils. This technique will help us understand spatial regulation of mechanostasis in the roots and molecular adaptations to changes in
the mechanical constraints. Together, these elements will help us understand how plants can adapt to nowadays challenges