Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre SAS
Topic
Effects of transient drought on biochemistry and physiology of bread wheat
PhD. program
Fyziológia rastlín
Name of the supervisor
Mgr. Maksym Danchenko, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University
Annotation
Drought severely compromises the yield of crops; it affects them on molecular, biochemical,
physiological, and morphological levels. Moreover, plant responses to water deprivation stress
are frequently associated with post-translational modifications (PTMs) of versatile proteins.
Post-translational modifications regulate protein functions, activity and stability, subcellular
localization, and signal perception/transduction. It is essential to explore responses of
contrasting plant genotypes using diverse complementary methods for a complex mechanistic
understanding of phenotypes challenged by drought and eventually for facilitating the design
of resilient crops. The proposed project will be focused on the worldwide vital cereal, bread
wheat (Triticum aestivum). The primary task will be determining the impact of transient water
deprivation and subsequent stress recovery on contrasting wheat genotypes. The substantial
focus will be on assessing proteome changes and PTMs, particularly associated with oxidative
stress, by affinity enrichment and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Besides, the Student will practice physiological (photosynthetic activity), biochemical (enzyme
activities), and molecular biology (gene expression) methods. The project will further develop
our recently published findings (DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1181834). We offer a vivid
multicultural environment, developing soft skills (such as scientific writing and
communication), and opportunities for international internships, complementing robust
experimental training. Research in the laboratory is supported by APVV, VEGA, VAIA, and COST.
The Student should publish results in leading journals such as Journal of Experimental Botany,
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, or Journal of Proteome Research.
physiological, and morphological levels. Moreover, plant responses to water deprivation stress
are frequently associated with post-translational modifications (PTMs) of versatile proteins.
Post-translational modifications regulate protein functions, activity and stability, subcellular
localization, and signal perception/transduction. It is essential to explore responses of
contrasting plant genotypes using diverse complementary methods for a complex mechanistic
understanding of phenotypes challenged by drought and eventually for facilitating the design
of resilient crops. The proposed project will be focused on the worldwide vital cereal, bread
wheat (Triticum aestivum). The primary task will be determining the impact of transient water
deprivation and subsequent stress recovery on contrasting wheat genotypes. The substantial
focus will be on assessing proteome changes and PTMs, particularly associated with oxidative
stress, by affinity enrichment and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Besides, the Student will practice physiological (photosynthetic activity), biochemical (enzyme
activities), and molecular biology (gene expression) methods. The project will further develop
our recently published findings (DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1181834). We offer a vivid
multicultural environment, developing soft skills (such as scientific writing and
communication), and opportunities for international internships, complementing robust
experimental training. Research in the laboratory is supported by APVV, VEGA, VAIA, and COST.
The Student should publish results in leading journals such as Journal of Experimental Botany,
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, or Journal of Proteome Research.