During her studies, Maria focused on investigating the signalling pathways that are activated in the model organism Lotus japonicus upon interaction with microorganisms in the soil. While the majority of land plants can engage in a symbiotic relationship with Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, providing the plant with phosphate, legume plant species, like Lotus japonicus, have the unique ability to engage in a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria, providing the plant with nitrogen. LysM receptors in the plasma membrane of root cells enable plants to distinguish between beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms by activating the appropriate signalling pathways. Maria developed several genetically encoded biosensors to report on the activation status of these different signalling pathways in the roots of Lotus japonicus. She identified promising biosensor candidates for both the symbioses- and immunity signalling pathways, which will serve as valuable tools for future studies on the receptors initiating these signalling pathways.

The PhD degree 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, 13 May 2025 at 13:30
Place: Building 1871, room 120, Nucleus Auditorium, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Development of genetically encoded biosensors to study signalling pathways in Lotus japonicus
Contact information: Maria Meisner Larsen, e-mail: mml@mbg.au.dk, tel.: +45 21765496
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Valentina Fiorilli, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin
Professor Alexander Schulz, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Senior Reseacher Jan Trige Rasmussen (Chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Simona Radutoiu, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor:
Professor Kasper Røjkjær Andersen, 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, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C