When grown under nitrogen-starved conditions, legumes engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation with rhizobial soil bacteria. Upon recognition of their symbiont, legumes grow symbiotic organs – root nodules. The bacteria colonise these organs, where they fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to the host plant, thereby reducing the plant’s need for additional fertiliser. To avoid infection by harmful microbes instead of the symbiont, legumes discriminate carefully between friend or foe.

During her PhD studies, Kira Gysel studied the initial recognition of rhizobial bacteria by plant receptor proteins. By using biochemical methods and X-ray crystallography, she improved the understanding of this highly specific process, especially how different legumes discern their specific symbiont. Furthermore, she was able to show direct recognition of the bacterial exopolysaccharide by a plant receptor.

The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

Time: Friday 21 August 2015 at 13.00
Place: Jeppe Vontilius Lecture Theatre, Lakeside Lecture Theatres, building 1252, room 310, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of dissertation: Insights into the Ligand Perception Mechanism of LysM Receptor Kinase Ectodomains
Contact information: Kira Gysel, kira@mbg.au.dk, +45 8715 4938, mobile +45 8161 1682
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Thorsten Nürnberger, ZMBP – Plant Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Germany
Senior Researcher René Jørgensen, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, National Serum Institute (SSI), Denmark
Associate Professor Ditlev Brodersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Søren Thirup, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisors:
Professor Jens Stougaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Dr Mickaël Blaise, Centre for Studies of Pathogenic Agents and Biotechnologies for Health, University of Montpellier, France
Language: The dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The dissertation is available for reading at the Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, room 112, 8000 Aarhus C.