6th World Plant Genomics & Plant Science Congress

Scientific Program

Keynote Session:

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Vasileios Fotopoulos photo

Vasileios Fotopoulos

Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

Title: When agriculture meets nanotechnology: a recipe for success

Biography:

Vasileios Fotopoulos is Associate Professor in Structural and Functional Plant Biology at the Cyprus University of Technology. His main scientific research focuses on the study of nitro-oxidative signaling cascades involved in plant responses to stress factors, while emphasis is being given in the development of priming technologies towards the amelioration of abiotic stress factors and promotion of plant growth. To date, Dr. Fotopoulos is the author of 87 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals (h-index=38), while he serves as Editor-in-Chief in Plant Stress and Associate Editor in Plant Molecular Biology.

Abstract:

Global agricultural production is suffering substantial losses due to climate change-related weather events such as drought and salinity, leading to tissue damage and, ultimately, major yield losses. The development of sustainable, ‘green’ technologies is therefore becoming of utmost important, also due to the need for reduced agrochemical use. Nanotechnology provides invaluable tools to a variety of industrial sectors. Increasing attention is being given to the development and optimization of nanomaterials for application in the agricultural industry towards protection against stress and improved growth, based on their small size, high surface to volume ratio and unique optical properties. The current presentation gives an up-to-date description of main research activities carried out at the Cyprus University of Technology with the employment of advanced nanoparticles and polymers applied at plant and seed level. This technology offers an attractive alternative to established approaches such as conventional breeding and genetic modification with key advantages, representing a characteristic example of integrative plant physiology where multiple disciplines such as materials science, agriculture and analytical chemistry join forces to develop exciting new tools in modern agriculture. 

Oral Session 1:

  • Plant Biotechnology | Plant Genome Science
Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ruby Bhullar Garcha photo

Ruby Bhullar Garcha

James Hind Institute, India

Title: Bioprospecting Endophytic Fungi Cladosporium genus as Source of Bioactive Metabolites

Biography:

Ruby Bhullar Garcha has experience in research on Biofuels, with skill in CRISPR basics, Advance CRISPR, Medical Coding, Molecular Docking, passion in research, and writing. Her research-oriented, re-skill, up-skill approach, led her to take initiative to learn more on mitigating challenges faced by the World, among them one is sustainable agriculture for an ever-growing population. The revolution in agriculture productivity can be enabled by the use of endophytic fungi that are able to produce bioactive compounds which helps to promote crop growth with far greater yield. Thus, its application in the field of agriculture and medicine to meet the challenges that threaten the way of our life and collaborating the research of endophytic fungi in context to agroecology helps to meet sustainable agriculture.

Abstract:

The genus Cladosporium is of great interest to researchers due to its cosmopolitan distribution, large bio-diversity encompassing both phylogenetically and morphologically distinct, and enclosed against numerous morphologically similar but distinct genera. Cladosporium sp. is a common fungal endophyte of incredible ecological adaptability with wide applications in the field of agriculture as biocontrol agents, bio-stimulants aiming towards sustainable agriculture with a great diversity of secondary metabolites reported for wide implication in pharmaceutical science as antimicrobial, antineoplastic, and antiviral activities. Thus, better understanding and knowledge of the metabolites and compounds including various groups of human pathogenic species and heat-resistant fungi directs to biotechnological exploitation whether from terrestrial or marine environment towards crop improvement and also as a potential therapeutic agent. This work aimed at studying and analyzing the relationships among biodiversity and chemo-diversity in the context of future bioprospecting of Cladosporium genus from genomics to metabolomics with the emerging technologies and use of computational tools. The vast number of taxa comprising about 772 names (valid, invalid, legitimate, illegitimate species) in Cladosporium genus needs to be explored for the diverse applications which may lead to the discovery of novel compounds of antimicrobial activity, anticancer potential, Insecticidal activity, and also as a plant growth stimulant. This review comprehensively highlights the bioactive potential and benefits of metabolites produced by Cladosporium sp. more specifically novel species isolated from indoor as well outdoor environmental sources. The unique findings of Cladosporium species could revolutionize food production on earth as well in the artificial media in spaceflight as strains like TC09 are not known to cause disease in plants, humans, or animals and let plants grow as fast as a weed. The future studies are needed to understand the role of volatiles in Cladosporium species that accelerates crop plants’ growth, and also to grow food on long-distance space voyages of the future with further research on interactions between the bioactive metabolites of endophytic fungi and host plant is necessary to explore for application in the field of agriculture and medicine by collaborating in context to research on agroecology.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Doron Shkolnik photo

Doron Shkolnik

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

Title: Calcium-mediated mechanisms of plant response to salt stress during germination

Biography:

Doron Shkolnik is an assistant professor and faculty member of the Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew university of Jerusalem. His research is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie seeds response to salt stress with greater focus on Ca2+ signaling and the possible crosstalk with abiotic stress and growth and development-related hormones, including abscisic acid and auxin. Furthermore, the research also assesses the involvement of various signals in seedling establishment and root tropic growth under salt stress conditions. The research utilizes common methods of molecular biology and cutting-edge fluorescent microscopy, including Light-Sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM).

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Salinity impairs plant seed germination and seedling establishment. The calcium ion (Ca2+) which functions as a ubiquitous second messenger in multiple plant responses to various internal and external stimuli, including exposure to salt (NaCl), is known to improve seed germination and seedling growth and development under salt stress conditions. However, the Ca2+-mediated mechanism that underlies the improved tolerance to salt stress is yet to be deciphered. Plant exposure to relatively high salt concentrations, among other harmful effects, destabilizes the plant’s ion homeostasis required for normal metabolism, growth and development. We recently suggested a role of the Arabidopsis Na+/K+ transporter HKT1;1 as an important component of germinating seedling response to salt, that is controlled by the Ca2+-regulated key regulator of gene expression in response to salt, the CAMTA6 transcription factor. The purpose of this study is to improve our knowledge regarding plant mechanisms of coping with salt stress in which Ca2+ signaling is involved, in order to outline potential approaches of improving crop performances under salt stress conditions that cause severe reductions in crop yields on a global scale.
Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: Seed germination assay was performed in order to examine the germination rates of wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0 ecotype), mutants and seeds of transgenic plants in response to control, NaCl, CaCl2 or combined NaCl + CaCl2 treatments. The effect of the treatments on the distribution of the growth-related hormone auxin in germinating seedlings was examined in seedlings that express the auxin level indicative sensor DR5-RFP using fluorescent microscopy. To elucidate potential genes that are involved in the Ca2+ mediated response to salt, transcriptomic analysis was performed based on total RNA that was isolated from whole seedlings that were ejected from the seed coat at early stages of development. To further study the effect of Ca2+ on ion homeostasis under salt stress conditions, ion content analysis was performed by harvesting ejected and root and shoot of young seedlings followed by ICP-MS analysis. Gene expression profiling was performed using qRT-PCR for relative transcript quantification, fluorescent microscopy visualization of fluorescent-tagged protein and promoter activity was assessed by creating transgenic plants that express the GUS reporter gene, under the regulation of the studied promoters, followed by GUS staining and light microscopy imaging.
Findings: Germination assay of seeds of hkt1 mutants compared with WT on agar solidified medium supplemented with NaCl (200 mM) or NaCl and CaCl2 (10 mM), revealed no Ca2+-mediated improved tolerance to salt among hkt1 mutants while WT seeds displayed germination rate of 30% that suggested a role of HKT1;1 in this improved tolerance. Control and CaCl2 treatments yielded ~100% germination rate. GUS staining of germinating seedlings that express the GUS protein under the regulation of HKT1;1 promoter (HKT1;1promoter-GUS) and were treated with NaCl or NaCl + CaCl2 showed elevated expression at the whole germinating seedling and enhanced and focused promoter activity at the radicle in response to the combined treatment. These data were further reinforced by qRT-PCR analysis for relative transcript quantification. Ion content analysis revealed higher concentration of K+ in seedlings that were treated with the combined treatment than just with NaCl, suggesting that the Ca2+ mediated tolerance involves improved accumulation of K+.  The transcriptomic analysis for identification of differentially expressed genes elucidated 147 down regulated and 664 upregulated genes in response to the combined treatment. Among the upregulated genes is the Type 2C protein phosphatase PP2C49 that is known to regulate the activity of HKT1;1. The elevation of PP2C49 in response to the combined treatment was verified using qRT-PCR analysis. Therefore, we tested the effect of sanguinarine, a polycyclic ammonium ion PP2C inhibitor, on seed germination and HKT1;1 promoter activity, under salt stress conditions. Interestingly, sanguinarine was found to improve the germination rate of WT seeds (~30%) in the presence of salt, while hkt1 seeds were no responsive to the chemical. Moreover, sanguinarine treatment was found to promote radicle focused expression of HKT1;1 that was more pronounced in response to sanguinarine and NaCl combined treatment. Finally, differential auxin accumulation was detected in radicle tips, such that the auxin levels were found to be reduced in response to NaCl but significantly to a lesser extent in response to the combined treatment.
Conclusion & Significance: The research offers new insights regarding the Ca2+-mediated improved tolerance to salt during germination. Ca2+ was found to promote a radicle focused and enhanced expression of HKT1;1 that improves germination rate in the presence of salt. Furthermore, the addition of Ca2+ in the presence of salt results in lower Na+/K+ ratio that is associated with improved tolerance to salt. Transcriptomic analysis was efficient in pointing out PP2C49 as involved in regulation of HKT1;1’s activity in response to Ca2+ under salt stress conditions. Collectively, the findings suggest that Ca2+ enhances the expression of HKT1;1 in the emerging radicle that results in improved accumulation of K+ which allows completing germination cycle in the presence of salt. 

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Miroslav Klobucnik photo

Miroslav Klobucnik

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia

Title: Mating system within the hybrid zone between Pinus sylvestris L. and P. mugo Turra in Slovakia

Biography:

Miroslav Klobucnik was a Ph.D. student in genetics at The Comenius University in Bratislava focusing on population genetics of forest trees. Employed at Plant Science and Biodiversity Center of SAS where he study taxonomic issues concerning putative hybrid swarms of pines. Received master's degree (Hons) in biology from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. Seeking valuable research experiences to grow my scientific career and to pursue my passion for studying evolutionary sciences. In the past he acquired experiences with electronic computer systems, manufacturing quality control and metrology.

Abstract:

Spontaneous hybridization is generally recognized as one of the most important modes of speciation in plants. It has become the main topic in evolutionary biology since the second half of the 20th century, especially with respect to hybrid zones, the locations where hybrid individuals are found between species, subspecies, or varieties. Such a hybrid zone is an excellent opportunity for studying evolutionary mechanisms of hybrid speciation and divergence of hybridizing species. It may provide great insight into the factors that contribute to the development of reproductive isolation barriers, an issue that is critical to understanding the mechanisms of speciation. Hybrid zone populations between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain dwarf pine (P. mugo Turra) have been found in several locations in central Europe, including northern Slovakia. To understand their evolution and phylogeny, various morphological, anatomical, and molecular traits including DNA markers were used. In general, the studies provided solid evidence for their hybrid nature. However, little is known about their mating system and selection patterns, for example, whether the presence of hybrids is a result of disassortative mating or heterozygote advantage associated with these novel ecological niches. In this study, we analyzed the mating system within the hybrid zone in Zuberec using four reference populations of P. sylvestris and five populations of P. mugo. Based on five SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) marker loci, we found that the hybrid zone generally represents a random mating population, as evidenced by an absence of significant positive values of Fis. There was only one marker locus with significantly decreased heterozygosity in all populations tested, including the hybrid zone in Zuberec. Because no null homozygotes were observed within the locus, the decrease in heterozygosity could indicate linkage disequilibrium with selectively important genes, such as mate choice loci that promote assortative mating. Nevertheless, the presence of hybrid individuals in the locality is indisputable. Despite this fact, our study shows that assortative mating may be common even within highly variable hybrid swarm populations with a unimodal distribution of genotypes. Heterozygote advantage as a mechanism of ecological selection should therefore be considered much more important in determining the genetic structure of natural hybrid zones.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz photo

Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz

Teagasc, Ireland

Title: Genomics and Metabolomics in Fraxinus excelsior in the context of ash dieback

Biography:

Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz is a researcher with a background in Pharmacy and Plant Science. He conducted his PhD studies in Biology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Uppsala, Sweden) focusing on the molecular interaction between Norway spruce and Heterobasidion annosum. s.l., a pathogenic fungus causing root and stem rot. After his PhD, Dr Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz was recruited by Teagasc (Dublin, Ireland), first as a postdoctoral researcher and later as a research officer. During his years at Teagasc he studied resistance to ash dieback in common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) using a multidisciplinary approach to identify and establish a collection of ash genotypes with resistance to ash dieback. Currently, Dr Miguel Nemesio-Gorriz is enjoying a career break in Spain, where he recently identified evidence of ash dieback and reported the finding for the first time in the country.

Abstract:

Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a broadleaved tree species native to Europe and Asia seriously threatened by the invasive fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus,. This pathogen cause ash dieback resulting in the decimation of ash populations throughout the native range of Fraxinus excelsior. A small proportion of ash genotypes show natural resistance to ash dieback. However, the factors determining resistance and susceptibility against ash dieback in Fraxinus excelsior are not completely understood. Candidate metabolites and genes were identified using metabolomics and high density SNP genotyping, respectively, in cohorts of ash genotypes with different levels of susceptibility to ash dieback. Results in the metabolomics analyses showed metabolites mainly in the coumarin and the secoiridoid biochemical families. Coincidentally, genes involved in the biosynthesis of these metabolites showed genotypic variants in the tolerant and susceptible cohorts of ash genotypes. These concurring results using a multiomics approach reveal strong evidence for some of the main factors responsible for resistance against ash dieback in Fraxinus excelsior.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Ruchika photo

Ruchika

Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan

Title: Development of an artificial deaminase system with plant derived “DYW” type PPR protein

Biography:

Ruchika is perusing her doctoral degree in molecular biology under the supervision of Prof. Toshifumi Tsukahara at Japan Advanced institute of science and Technology (JAIST), Ishikawa, Japan. During her PhD, she is exploring her understanding on RNA editing in plants, bacterial cells as well as in mammalian cells. Ruchika did her master’s and bachelor’s in Botany (honors) from university of Delhi, India. Ruchika received the MEXT scholarship from Japanese government as well as other research grants for her outstanding research proposal for identifying the candidate genes related to U-to-C RNA editing in plants, especially hornworts. Very recently, she was honored by “Young scientist award” in Plant Genomics 2021

Abstract:

A genetic disorder is a disease caused by a change in the nucleotide base sequences. Many genetic diseases are raised due to T-to-C point mutations. Hence, editing of mutated genes represents a promising strategy for treating these disorders. In this study, an expression system was developed in which the PPR protein variants were cloned with PPR56 (truncated DYW), Physcomitrella patens (moss) editing factor. The assay system allowed to study RNA editing by PPR genes with its potential target sequences in mammalian cells. We engineered an artificial RNA editing mechanism by combining the deaminase domain of plant derived PPR56 (DYW) with a guideRNA (gRNA) which is complementary to target mRNA. In this artificial enzyme system, gRNA is bound to MS2 stem-loop, and deaminase domain, which can convert mutated target nucleotide C-to-U, is fused to MS2 coat protein. As a target RNA, we used RNA encoding blue fluorescent protein (BFP) which was derived from the gene encoding GFP by T>C mutation. Earlier MS2 system has been used with APOBEC1, showed 21% of GFP restoration. Upon transient expression of both components (DYW and gRNA), we confirmed the restoration of original sequence of mutated GFP revealing an editing efficiency of up to 85-100%. We successfully developed a bio-engineered RNA editing system using deaminase (PPR56DYW) in combination with MS2 system showing the maximum efficiency.