Overview
We are interested in the genetics and physics of organ electropisms in plants. Tropism is referring to the modification of the direction of growth, in response to an external stimulus or perceived signal. Root electrotropism is the response of roots exposed to ionic currents. To this purpose, we are developing new quantitative and imaging assays, and taking a molecular genetics approach to identify key molecular players.
Main Questions
- What are the molecular players (e.g. plant hormones, transcription factors, ion channels) involved in electroperception and electrotropism in plants?
- What are the biophysical mechanisms (e.g. propagation of membrane potential perturbations, opening and closing of ion voltage-sensistive ion channels, membrane fluidity) involved in electroperception and electrotropism in plants?
- What is the adaptive value of root electrotropism?
- How is the information coming from the multiple environmental cues (light, gravity, humidity, temperature, electric fields, etc) integrated to output the "most valuable" tropism?
