PhD - Deciphering the role of zinc in plant immunity

La Caixa INPhINIT Incoming Fellowships are dedicated and offered to early-stage researchers of any nationality to pursue their PhD studies in research centers accredited with the Spanish Seal of Excellence Severo Ochoa, María de Maeztu or Health Institute Carlos III and Portuguese units participating in the program.

• 3 years contract

• Candidates cannot have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the deadline for application.

• Program includes a training programme on transversal skills aiming in widening the chances for personal development, not only in academia, but also in industry.

• Candidates must be in the first four years of their research career and must not have previously obtained a PhD degree or be in a position to apply for one

• Candidates must accredit an advanced level of English (B2 or higher)

• Competitive salary with additional amount for research costs and a €7500 prize for fellows who deposit the thesis within 6 months after the third year of the fellowship has ended

Research Project / Research Group Description

Zinc is an essential nutrient at low concentrations, but becomes toxic at slightly higher ones, as it can block access to other metal nutrients and/or remove them from the active site of enzymes. This double-edged aspect of zinc homeostasis is used in host-microbe interactions to support beneficial microorganisms and to fend-off invading ones. In a recent publication (Escudero et al., 2021), we have shown that plants accumulate high levels of zinc at the infection site. This excess zinc, provided by zinc transporters HMA2 and HMA4, is used to eliminate the invader. It is the overall goal of this proposal to further characterize this zinc-mediated immunity. To do this, we propose the following goals: i) Decipher the molecular connections with the canonical mechanisms of plant defence , and ii) Determine how HMA2 and HMA4 work during infection. Towards this goals, we will combine the classical plant physiology methods, with transcriptomic/proteomic analyses, protein biochemistry, and state-of-the-art metal imaging. As a final outcome, we should be able to provide novel selectable markers to enhance plant resistance to pests and optimize when fertilize with zinc to increase the natural response to pathogens

The project will combine the expertise of two CBGP groups: Plant Innate Immunity and Resistance to Necrotrophic Fungi, where Dr. Lucía Jordá works, and Metal Homeostasis in Plant-Microbe Interactions, led by Dr. Manuel González-Guerrero. The selected candidate will also have access to all the training and networking activities of COST Action PLANTMETALS. 

Job position description

The PhD candidate should have a MSc or equivalent degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related areas. Previous experience in plant-microbe interactions or in transition metal nutrition will be positively evaluated. The selected candidate will join a multidisciplinary joint research group in which he/she will be trained in state-of-the-art synchrotron methods for metal imaging, super resolution microscopy, as well as more classical methods on molecular biology, plant physiology and plant-pathogen interaction. This PhD topic should spearhead future work on the role of transition metals in plant innate immunity.

GROUP LEADER

Dr. Manuel González-Guerrero [email protected]

RESEARCH PRODUCT / RESEARCH GROUP

Symbiosis and Metals

www.metalsym.com