Genetics
print


Breadcrumb Navigation


Content

Research

  • Intracellular colonisation of plant cells by bacteria

    161216 WT live dead 4wpi and old.lif - 4wpi n1-1-3

    Symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria use common strategies to colonise plants, such as biofilm formation, quorum-sensing, hormone-balance manipulation and protein secretion, among others. However, in the majority of the cases pathogenic bacteria remain on the plant surface or in the apoplast and are not able to invade cells. Bacteria of the order rhizobiales are among the few that are able to colonise the interior of plant cells. This bacterial order is diverse and includes plant symbiotic bacteria (Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium), plant pathogens (Agrobacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter) and animal pathogens (Brucella, Bartonella). more

  • Ineffective root nodule symbiosis

    ineffective

    Legume crops are central to sustainable agricultural practices and food security, as they have a reduced mineral nitrogen fertiliser dependency, but exhibit high protein content. This is rooted in their mutualistic interaction with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria. In agricultural fields, ineffective rhizobia (little or no nitrogen fixation) can turn into parasites and outcompete beneficial strains. Although this is a limitation for biological fertilisation, the genetic basis underlying this parasitic behaviour is poorly investigated. more