Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Under the Microscope: Exploring Gene Expression in Tomato Roots
- Beschreibung
Beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in plant nutrition, health, and agricultural productivity. Among these interactions, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a widespread mutualistic association between plants and soil fungi that enhances nutrient uptake and stress tolerance.
Our research group investigates the molecular mechanisms regulating this symbiosis, with particular interest in subtilases (SBTs), proteases involved in the processing of signaling peptides. Understanding when and where these genes are expressed may provide important insights into their potential roles in plant–fungus communication.
In this project, students will investigate the expression patterns of selected subtilases and peptide precursor genes in tomato roots using promoter-reporter constructs. Following an established Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation method, students will generate composite tomato plants carrying transgenic roots, inoculate them with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and analyze reporter expression using fluorescence microscopy.
The project offers hands-on experience in plant transformation, plant–microbe interactions, fluorescence microscopy, and data analysis. Students will also gain experience in experimental design, scientific literature research, and interpretation of research results.
- Projektzeitraum
- Wintersemester 2026/2027
- Bewerbungszeitraum
- 12. bis 26.10.2026
- Durchführung
- semesterbegleitend
- Studienfach
- offen für alle Studienfächer
- Betreuende
- Dr. Javier Lidoy Logrono
- Institut
- Institut für Biologie (190) (Physiologie und Biochemie der Pflanzen (190c))
- Sprache
- englisch
- Teilnehmendenanzahl
- min. 1, max. 2
- Arbeitsaufwand
-
ca. 180 Stunden pro Teilnehmende:r
| 6
ECTS-Punkte
Arbeitsaufwand (Stunden und ggf. ECTS) sind ungefähre Angaben. Die tatsächlich vergebenen ECTS-Punkte ergeben sich aus der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeit.
- Für dieses Projekt ist kein Motivationsschreiben des Studierenden erforderlich
- Projektart
- experimentell
- Lernziele
-
Die Teilnehmende lernen in diesem Projekt:
In this project, participants will learn:
- Scientific literature research and experimental design.
- Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of tomato roots.
- Cultivation of composite plants and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
- Identification and selection of transformed roots using fluorescent markers.
- Analysis of promoter activity using fluorescence microscopy.
- Visualization of fungal colonization and arbuscular structures.
- Image analysis, data evaluation, and scientific discussion.
- Presentation and communication of experimental results.
- Anmerkungen für Studierende