Molecular Analysis of Plant-Microbe Interactions

Plants are continually exposed to a huge variety of microbes. These microbes include potential pathogens that induce diseases in plants, and symbionts that benefit plants by supplying various nutrients or conferring beneficial traits such as disease resistance and drought tolerance. To achieve sustainable agriculture it is important to use these beneficial microbes instead of applying large amounts of chemical fertilizers and agricultural chemicals.
     The work in our laboratory focuses on beneficial soil microbes such as rhizobium, AM fungi and endophytic bacteria. In addition to conventional analyses, genome analysis and metagenomic analysis using next generation sequencers enable detection of beneficial genetic resources unidentified to date. We further analyze molecular interactions between crop plants and those microbes using molecular and biochemical techniques and plant genetics. Based on the theoretical evidence derived from these analyses, we explore practical uses for those beneficial microbes such as bio-fertilizers, microbial inoculants or technologies for soil diagnostics to promote sustainable agriculture.