Objective Cell-to-cell communication is fundamental to multicellular organisms. The exchange of information and resources between cells and tissues enables co-ordination of responses to environmental and developmental signals. In plants, the cytoplasm of adjacent cells is connected by plasma membrane-line pores called plasmodesmata (PD) that cross the cell wall, generating cytoplasmic continuity between cells and tissues. This interconnected cytoplasm is termed the symplast and is unique to plants. In plants, growing evidence suggests that innate immune responses rely on regulation of symplastic connectivity. My group previously discovered that regulation of PD (whether they are open or closed) is critical for immune responses. Further, we have shown that pathogens suppress host regulation of PD in an effort to maintain symplastic continuity between cells. We don’t know why the host regulates the symplast during defence: while data suggests that different defence responses might differently exploit the symplast, we don’t understand how the symplast defines the success of a response. Similarly, we don’t know how a pathogen benefits from maintaining connectivity with surrounding host cells – is this to allow the movement of molecules to suppress defence, or is it to optimise access to host resources? This programme will investigate the question of how the symplast contributes to defence and infection strategies. We aim to understand how these strategies play out in an infection context. We will use experimental and computational approaches to generate models that allow us to predict the outcome of infection upon the basis of symplastic processes and PD regulation. Ultimately, this will create a framework for novel strategies to enhance pathogen resistance. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunology Keywords innate immunity cell-to-cell communication plasmodesmata symplast MAMP-triggered immunity Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution JOHN INNES CENTRE Net EU contribution € 2 162 500,00 Address NORWICH RESEARCH PARK COLNEY NR4 7UH Norwich United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 162 500,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all JOHN INNES CENTRE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 2 162 500,00 Address NORWICH RESEARCH PARK COLNEY NR4 7UH Norwich See on map Region East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 162 500,00
