PHD Student

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 10 Nov 2021

KEY WORDS: Specialized metabolites, plant immunity, glucosinolates, Brassicaceae, Arabidopsis thaliana

Research topic: Function of glucosinolates in the immunity of Brassicaceae plant species.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Paweł Bednarek

I. Project description

Plants produce a number of specialized metabolites to communicate with their environment and to defend against their foes including herbivores and microbial pathogens. Species from the cabbage family, which includes oilseed rape, numerous vegetables and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, have capacity to produce unique thioglucosides known as glucosinolates. In response to the environmental stresses, these compounds can be rapidly activated to bioactive products that deter herbivorous insects and contribute to the protection of plant tissue from colonization with different pathogens. During this project we would like to focus on enzymes involved in modification of tryptophan-derived indole glucosinolates and subsequent activation of these compounds for antifungal defense. Both, modification and activation are indispensable for the function of indole glucosinolates in plant immunity. The few investigated enzymes will include CYP81F monooxygenases and indole glucosinolate methyltransferases. We would like to identify molecular basis of specificity of glucosinolate hydroxylation by CYP81F monooxygenases and investigate contribution of glucosinolate methyltrasferases to plant immunity.

Additional information:

  • Research and doctoral theses shall be carried out within the OPUS 20 project no. 2020/39/B/NZ2/03426, entitled “Molecular basis of glucosinolate modification and activation in the immunity of Brassicaceae species”, funded by National Science Centre.
  • PhD students shall receive a stipend in the gross amount of ca 4300 PLN (3800 PLN net), for the period of 48 months with possible extension
  • PhD students shall be subject to social insurance, pursuant to article. 6 section 1 passage 7b of the act of October 13th, 1998 on the social insurance system (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 300, 303 and 730).


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