During his PhD studies, Simon Boje Hansen researched the initial molecular communications in plant-microbe interactions and how plants subsequently respond towards pathogenic or symbiotic microbes. Plants utilize innate receptors to perceive apoplastic microbial signals, which allows the plant to assess whether pathogenic or symbiotic microbes are encountered. Simon Boje Hansen studied how LysM receptor kinases perceive microbial carbohydrate signals and subsequently trigger intracellular responses through phosphorylations. Decoding of specific chemical modifications in the carbohydrate molecules, allow plants to discriminate between symbionts and pathogens by raising appropriate symbiosis or immune responses. The presented findings provide new insights into the mechanistic functions of plant LysM receptors and supports engineering efforts for transferring symbiotic traits to cereal crops.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
Time: Tuesday, 12 October 2021 at 13.00
Place: Building 1420, Meeting room 2, AU conference center, Aarhus University, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Signal perception and transduction in plant-microbe symbioses and immunity
Contact information: Simon Boje Hansen, e-mail: sbh@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 25 21 89 54

Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Alga Zuccaro, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Germany

Associate Professor Annette Eva Langkilde, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Copenhagen University, Denmark

Associate Professor Knud Erik Larsen (chairman), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Kasper Røjkjær Andersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor: Professor Jens Stougaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English.

The defence is public. The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Katrinebjergvej 89F, building 5132, 8200 Aarhus N.