Membrane barriers in plant-pathogen interactions: Can a better understanding of lipid transport prevent plant diseases?

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About This Project

When a microbe invades a plant cell, a new barrier membrane forms, creating Membrane Contact Sites (MCS) between the pathogen and the host. MCS, emerging field of cell biology, intensely studied in animals but largely unexplored in plants, brings new tools to the table, offering an opportunity for unique insights into plant-microbe interactions. We aim to unveil the molecular mechanisms driving MCS formation, paving the way for novel strategies to boost crop productivity and sustainability.

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What is the context of this research?

When a pathogen microorganism attempts to breach a plant cell, a new membrane (called extrahaustorial membrane) is dynamically formed to isolate the plant cytosol from the invading microorganism. At these membrane interfaces, the endoplasmic reticulum, the cell’s lipid factory, intimately associates with the nascent membrane, forming specialized junctions known as Membrane Contact Sites (MCSs). We hypothesize that lipids—essential fatty molecules that constitute the fundamental components of cellular membranes—are actively transported by lipid transfer proteins (LTP) from the endoplasmic reticulum to the nascent membrane, playing a key role in its biogenesis.


What is the significance of this project?

Pathogenic filamentous microorganisms pose a constant threat to crops globally and regionally, with climate change amplifying their spread and increasing the demand for environmentally friendly pest control methods. During infection, pathogens invade plant cells, leading to the formation of new membranes (EHM) and the generation of membrane contact sites (MCS) between the pathogen and host cell. Recent advances in the study of MCS in animals and yeast provide valuable insights and tools that can now be applied to plant systems. By investigating the mechanisms of membrane formation and MCS in plants, we aim to uncover critical details on how to target pathogens at the early stages of infection, potentially halting disease development before it progresses further


What are the goals of the project?

Preliminary findings suggest that ER localization around the EHM implicates MCSs in these processes. This raises compelling questions: Are these MCSs, and therefore lipid transfer, a plant defense strategy, or are they exploited by pathogens to access lipids for their haustoria?

By comparing ER-EHM interfaces from evolutionarily distant organisms and investigating whether LTPs' functions are conserved across different interactions, we can gain a better understanding of how host-pathogen co-evolution shapes the establishment of membrane contact sites.

My broader goal is to characterize MCSs across three systems:

1. Pathogenic fungi-plant interactions:

i) Arabidopsis thaliana / Golovinomyces orontii (Go) and Hordeum vulgare/Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh)

2. Pathogenic Oomycete-plant interactions:

i) Nicotiana benthamiana/ Phytophthora infestans.

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This grant will play a crucial role in advancing my research by providing essential funding for key aspects of the project. Specifically, it will help cover expenses related to experimental materials and laboratory supplies, primarily focused on the molecular biology components of the study. These include protein cloning, transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana, and subcellular localization analysis using confocal microscopy. We will collaborate with Dr. Thordal-Christensen's laboratory in Denmark to perform a laser confocal microscopy on barley infections

As a young researcher starting my own line of investigation, contributions like this are of great importance in helping to establish and strengthen my research program. While this grant is part of a broader funding strategy that includes support from the SENSE Brussels Foundation, its contribution is vital for progressing through critical stages of the research, ensuring the successful execution of the overall proposal.

Endorsed by

Having known Juan Martín for over 15 years, I can confidently say that he is a talented and dedicated scientist, who is passionately engaged in scientific research. His commitment to advancing plant science is clearly evident in this project. With curiosity, rigorous thinking and a collaborative mindset, he aims to uncover how lipid transfer proteins shape plant defenses against key pathogens, with great potential to make significant contributions to the field.
Juan Martín is part of our group, where we study lipid signaling during plant defense. He is currently exploring a novel aspect of plant-pathogen interactions, bringing fresh ideas and innovative concepts to our research. His enthusiasm and creativity have invigorated the team, combining critical thinking with experimental rigor. Additionally, his collaborative attitude and commitment to science make him an outstanding researcher with great potential to contribute significantly to the field.
I am excited by the prospect of uncovering how lipid transfer proteins contribute to this essential defence mechanism. Knowing Juan Martín D’Ambrosio and his work, I can confidently say that his dedication, creativity, and expertise in lipid biology and plant-pathogen interactions make him the ideal leader for this project. His ability to combine rigorous scientific inquiry with mentorship ensures that this work will have a lasting impact, advancing knowledge and inspiring future researchers in the field.

Project Timeline

1st semester: Tag LTPs with fluorescent proteins in Arabidopsis. Analyze LTP localization during Phytophthora infection using transient expression and confocal microscopy. Generate Arabidopsis plants with LTP-fluorescent fusions. 2nd semester: Perform molecular cloning for barley LTPs. Investigate LTP dynamics during Blumeria infection in barley. Analyze LTP behavior in Arabidopsis under fungal infection.

Jan 20, 2025

Project Launched

Apr 01, 2025

Molecular cloning LTP- Fluorescent marker for transient expression (N benthamiana)

May 01, 2025

Stable Arabidopsis thaliana transformation

May 15, 2025

Transient expression in N. benthamiana

Jun 15, 2025

Infection with Phytophthora and laser confocal microscopy

Meet the Team

Juan Martín D'Ambrosio
Juan Martín D'Ambrosio
Doctor

Affiliates

National Scientific and Technical Research Council
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Juan Martín D'Ambrosio

I am currently a researcher at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (CONICET-UNMDP), where I study lipid transport at membrane contact sites during infection processes in plants.

I completed my undergraduate and doctoral studies at the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, focusing on signal transduction mechanisms during biotic stress. Following my PhD, I decided to deepen my expertise in cell biology, particularly in the emerging field of Membrane Contact Sites (MCS). To pursue this, I undertook a postdoctoral position in France, where I investigated lipid transfer mechanisms in yeast. There, I had the privilege of working alongside outstanding colleagues, honing my skills, and establishing myself as an expert in the field.

Now, I am initiating my independent line of research in plants, aiming to apply the knowledge and techniques I acquired in yeast and animal models to plant systems in the context of MCS. Step by step, I am building my research team and fostering collaborations with researchers in France and Denmark who share and support my vision.

My journey has been characterized by achieving team goals, developing valuable professional skills such as project management, mentoring, and scientific communication, and building meaningful connections with colleagues across the globe. With expertise I strive to bridge different research fields to uncover novel insights into lipid dynamics and plant-pathogen interactions.

In my spare time, curious about the art. https://www.instagram.com/juan...

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