Christina Kalisch: Plants accommodate beneficial bacteria in their root tissue - what does it take?
PhD defence, Thursday 23 January 2014. Christina Kalisch
During her studies, Christina Kalisch researched the symbiotic interaction between leguminous plants and soil bacteria. Plants of this family are very special in their ability to interact with so-called rhizobia, which fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available for the plant, thereby decreasing the plant’s need for artificial fertilizers. The plants discriminate carefully between harmful pathogens, which induce a defense reponse, and these beneficial rhizobia, which are allowed to colonize the root tissue. Christina Kalisch studied the perception of bacterial signal molecules by the plant and the process of how the rhizobia enter and colonize the plant roots.
The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how plant receptors interact to recognize the rhizobia, and identified other plant genes required for successful engagement in root symbiosis.
The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University.
Time: Thursday 23 January 2014 at 13.00
Place: 3130-303 konferencelokale i Forskerparken
Title of dissertation: Bioimaging and Forward Genetics: Exploring Nod Factor Perception and Nodule Infection in Lotus Japonicus
Contact information: Christina Kalisch, cgr@mb.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor J. Allan Downie, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Associate Professor Michael F. Lynkjær, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Associate Professor Ernst-Martin Füchtbauer (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Jens Stougaard, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Simona Radutoiu, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD 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.