Plants

Ongoing projects

Unravelling the Importance of Aldehyde Dehydrogenases in the Plant Redox Biology

Plants perceive and react to abiotic and biotic factors prevailing in their growth environment. Mechanistically, most environmental factors induce a change in the cellular homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical anion, and hydroxyl radical. Although enzymes generating or processing the ROS have been known and found in nearly all taxa, how ROS encode the message from the environment is still elusive, particularly in plants. A well-known effect of ROS is the peroxidation of membrane lipids leading to reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. These aldehydes were found to modify the cellular proteins and enzymes in a process called protein carbonylation. We are investigating: 1) the plant proteins primarily targeted for carbonylation at the onset of stress and the consequence of the modification on their functions, and 2) the influence of stress-responsive Aldehyde Dehydrogenases (ALDHs) on protein carbonylation. The outcomes of these investigations will help determine the plant biological functions regulated by ROS via protein carbonylation and may suggest a way to mitigate the effects of environmental stress on the crops or to obtain stress-resilient crops.

Quantifying the reactivity of the plant proteomes to reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Plants communicate with each other by exchanging molecules either through roots or through aerial organs (leaves, flowers, stems). Green leaf Volatile (GLVs) can ward off competitors or attract beneficial organisms, and serve as an alert to signal the presence of pathogens and pests to adjacent plants. Despite the importance of this warning system in disease prevention and early detection of pests in the fields and greenhouses, the mechanism by which plants perceive this information is not yet known. We investigate the plant proteins that interact with aldehydes GLVs. We hope to identify the proteins that recognize the volatile aldehydes emitted by plants under stress. This information may serve several applications in biotechnology, for example, to develop electronic noses or sensors for monitoring and detecting pests and diseases in greenhouses even in the absence of visible symptoms on the plants.

Ph.D. and Master Application

Prospective students are encouraged to apply anytime. We are a very enthusiastic group and will be happy to welcome you if you can further ignite our motivation, curiosity, and dynamism. Please, do not forget to send your transcripts when sending your email to Tagnon.Missihoun@uqtr.ca.