Physiological and Evolutionary Adaptation of Plants to Co-occurring Abiotic and Biotic Challenges, PlantsCoChallenge
This is a project within the research unit RU 5640: Physiological and Evolutionary Adaptation of Plants to Co-occurring Abiotic and Biotic Challenges, PlantsCoChallenge
The PlantsCoChallenge Research Unit is a collaborative initiative involving the Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel (CAU); the Helmholtz Institute GEOMAR, Kiel; the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology (IGB), Berlin; the University of Münster; and the Eberhard Karls Universität, Tübingen (EKUT). This research unit investigates how plant-associated microbial communities contribute to plant resilience under combined abiotic and biotic stresses. By exploring endophytic microbiota across various plant species, the unit aims to understand how these microbial communities support plants in coping with complex environmental challenges. Through collaborative projects, PlantsCoChallenge collects, characterizes, and assembles stress-related microbes to develop synthetic communities for experimental testing. This work will provide insights into microbiome-mediated stress tolerance, creating foundational resources for predictive models. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture by identifying microbiota that enhance crop resilience and support plant health in natural ecosystems.
PlantsCoChallenge Project Z2: Capturing the Diversity of Stress-Related Microbiota from Plant Endophytic Niches
As part of the PlantsCoChallenge Research Unit, the Z2 project investigates the diversity and functional roles of stress-adapted endophytic microbiota across multiple plant species. This project aims to identify microbes that support plant resilience to environmental stresses and to understand how these microbial communities interact with host plants. The knowledge gained will be applied to build computational models and develop synthetic communities that enhance plant stress tolerance.
Project Goals
The Z2 project focuses on three main objectives:
- Identify Microbial Communities Adapted to Specific Stress Conditions
Capture and characterize microbial communities from endophytic niches in plants across different environmental contexts, examining how they contribute to plant stress tolerance. - Develop and Test Synthetic Microbial Communities
Assemble microbial communities from stress-adapted isolates and evaluate their potential to enhance plant resilience under controlled stress conditions. - Establish a Comprehensive Data Management and Modeling Framework
Standardize data collection and management protocols to support computational modeling, facilitating integration and predictive insights across the broader PlantsCoChallenge research.
Research Focus and Key Areas of Study
1. Microbial Diversity and Stress Adaptation in Endophytic Niches
This work package seeks to build a rich resource of stress-adapted microbial isolates from both aquatic and terrestrial plant species.
- Approach: Using DNA metabarcoding, we will profile bacterial and fungal communities across various plant endophytic niches, capturing a realistic diversity under environmental stress. Field samples and controlled experiments will serve as a basis for understanding how these microbes contribute to plant resilience.
2. Synthetic Community Assembly and Testing
Here, we assemble microbial communities from the characterized isolates and evaluate their functionality under specific abiotic and biotic stress conditions.
- Approach: Synthetic communities are designed to test various combinations of stress-adapted microbes in plant models. Key microbial isolates identified as “hubs” for community stability will undergo genome sequencing and functional analyses, shedding light on their roles in microbial interactions and plant stress tolerance.
3. Computational Modeling and Data Management
Central to the Z2 project is a robust data management and computational framework, ensuring that all microbiome data are standardized, accessible, and integrated for broader analysis.
- Approach: In collaboration with the other project in PlantsCoChallenge, we are implementing protocols for data capture, processing, and sharing to enable cross-project integration. Computational models built from these data will simulate microbial community assembly and predict microbiome-driven plant responses under various stress conditions. These models are intended to aid in the development of targeted microbiome-based solutions for agriculture and ecosystem restoration.
Innovative Approach
The Z2 project combines microbiome research, synthetic biology, and computational modeling to address plant stress resilience. By building a comprehensive microbial resource base and establishing predictive models, we aim to advance our understanding of plant-microbe interactions under stress, setting the stage for future applications in sustainable agriculture.
Significance and Future Impact
Outcomes from the Z2 project will contribute essential data, microbial isolates, and predictive tools for understanding plant-microbiome interactions in response to stress. This work provides a foundation for microbiome-based strategies that enhance plant resilience, with long-term implications for agriculture, conservation, and ecosystem management.