INTEGRALE

Context

The plants are constantly subjected to the attack of pathogens agents. However, in the natural ecosystems, the disease remains the exception opposed to our agrosystem completely depend of the pesticides. This sensitivity of cultivated species of plants is allotted to the resistance gene loss during them selection processes. In this context and in order to produce varietal sets more resistant to the diseases, it is essential to analyze and understand the complex molecular mechanisms associated at these resistances, particularly for the wild species similar to cultivated species or for model species such as Arabidopsis thalianaandMedicagotruncatula.

Objectives

The objectives of the project are: 1) The use techniques of systemic biologyto analyze the network of interactions proteins/proteins whichles réseauxd’interactionsprotéines/protéineswhich determinethe “not host” relationbetween Arabidopsis thaliana andPhytophthora infestans.In experiments, this approach is based on the technologies of two-hybrid screening andof native electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. 2) The spatial-temporal observations of dynamic of H2O2, based on a molecular probe, by use fluorescent microscopy and confocal microscopy, during interaction betweenArabidopsis thaliana / Phytophthora infestans (figure 1).

Expected results

A best comprehension of plant/pathogen interactions will allow the development of sets of news pathway for crops managements against plant diseases.

Contribution

The CRA-W places at the disposalall infrastructures for growth, with controlled condition, of plants and P. infestans. The laboratory is equipped with all basic material to practice the molecular biology. A platform of microscopy is also accessible.

Partners

This project is one of the orientations of a biggest project entitled: “Systemic approach of interactions protein-proteins networks during plant/biologics agents relation” (Acronym: PLANTINTERACT). The participants being: • TheGembloux agro bio tech with: o L’unité de Biologie animale et microbienne o Le Centre de Biologie cellulaire et moléculaire o L’unité de bio-industrie o L’unité d’entomologie fonctionnelle et évolutive o Le centre de biophysiologie moléculaire numérique • The CRA-W with : o Life Sciences Department o Valorisation of Agricultural ProductsDepartment • The UCL,Departement of Chemistry, Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences, Molecules, Solids and Reactivity

CRAW off coordinator

Funding

• CRA-W - Moerman funds