Heat shock proteins and their role in Plasmodiophora brassicae infection
In recent decades, we have witnessed the global warming and associated climate changes. Such changes can greatly affect ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as food production. It is estimated that significant losses in agricultural production (over 50%) are caused by abiotic stress factors (drought, increased salinity, extreme temperatures) thereby jeopardizing food safety worldwide. About 57% of the total land area suffers from extreme temperatures. Future projections are even worse, since a gradual, but consistent, increase in aridity and high temperatures is estimated globaly but particularly for most of the Mediterranean region. Thus, research of plant responses to unpleasant environmental conditions including extreme heat is of high priority at global level. This project proposal is in accordance with actual, "hot" topics in plant stress biology. It is focused on the plant responses to heat with the particular interest in the role of enzymes auxin amidohydrolases in potential heat tolerance. These enzymes participate in homeostasis of plant hormone auxin, crucial for plant growth, development and adaptation to environmental conditions.
Collaboration with Dr. Branka Salopek-Sondi (Rudjer Boskovic Institute) and Prof. Dr. Natasa Bauer (University of Zagreb)
