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| Priyamedha Sengupta, Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre of Research on Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), Spain, and Junior Member IS-MPMI Board of Directors Welcome to our new miniseries on science outreach and communication! Over the next three issues, Dr. Priyamedha Sengupta, postdoctoral researcher, will tell us about her journey into plant-microbe outreach and communication. Why is communicating our science so important? Because, as Priya says, "Given the rampant misinformation about sustainable crop improvement strategies, it is critical that scientists step forward and communicate the importance of their work to the general population."
I am Priyamedha Sengupta, postdoctoral researcher at the Centre of Research on Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), Spain, and junior member of the IS-MPMI Board of Directors. Coincidentally, I have been affiliated with institutions having the letter C in their names (University of Calcutta, India, M.S. degree in botany 2017; University of Cologne, Germany, Ph.D. degree in natural sciences 2023). My research primarily involves good and bad (but never ugly) microbes of Arabidopsis thaliana. Breaking the First WallHaving finished updating my lab journal on a Friday afternoon, I threw a quick glance at my inbox to find the university newsletter. Among the usual features on University of Cologne services and EU research funding opportunities, there was mention of an event called Falling Walls Lab. What captured my attention was that every participant was required to make a 3-min pitch (more popularly known as an elevator pitch). My instant thought was 'Oh fun! I am going to check it out.' So, I visited the portal and applied to participate in the Falling Walls Lab Rhineland 2019. After applying (yes, and not before), I went to find out more about the Falling Walls foundation. To my utter surprise, I saw a picture of former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel seated in the front row of the previous year's Falling Walls Conference in Berlin. I came to know that the Falling Walls Conference is a renowned multidisciplinary gathering of individuals from science, industry, economics, politics, and nearly every topic of societal importance (https://falling-walls.com). Naturally, I berated myself for having wasted an hour in applying for such a high-profile event in which a first-year Ph.D. student stood little chance of qualifying. Setting up a PCR reaction might have been more beneficial, I thought to myself. A few weeks later, I received an email from the organizing committee of Falling Walls Lab Rhineland that my application to present in the regional round was selected. They provided a guideline for preparing our pitch, which would consist of two PowerPoint slides—one highlighting the problem and another providing the solution. For the problem, I focused on how plant diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms can lead to severe consequences, such as the Irish famine (1845–1852). For the solution, I prepared a comic with Tom and Jerry (and Spike, the bulldog) to explain microbial antagonism of pathogens—the topic of my Ph.D. project on yeast antagonizing oomycete in the Arabidopsis thaliana leaf surface. My supervisor, Prof. Gunther Doehlemann, provided some great feedback to ensure I stayed within the 2-min, 30-s time frame (the remaining 30 s was reserved for questions). The event took place on September 12, 2019, on the main campus of the University of Cologne, a mere 5-min walk from my institution. However, it was one of the more anxious and intimidating 5-min stroll of my life. Once I arrived, I felt a bit relaxed, having chatted with fellow participants and organizers. Big screens showcasing our presentations were set up at the Aula (auditorium) and a rather visible timer counting down from 3 min. It was surprising how quickly a total of 17 presentations went by. I made my pitch within 2 min, which allowed me to interact with the jury for another minute. Afterward, we all met for a short coffee break and gathered back in the auditorium for the announcement of the results. I am always going to cherish the moment when the organizer, Oliver Höing said, "I hope I pronounce the name of the winner correctly," which led me to wonder, "Could it be me with the complicated (even by Indian standards) name?" I am ever so grateful to Falling Walls Lab Rhineland for the honor and for acknowledging the importance of plant-microbe interactions. The next step for me was the Falling Walls Conference in Berlin, which is held every year during the first weeks of November, coinciding with the dates of the actual fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Berlin, where the first two days included training activities for Falling Walls participants from all over the world, including visits to prominent universities and research institutions in Berlin. Incidentally, it was the 30th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall. Finally, I presented my pitch, "Breaking the Wall of Microbial Invasion in Plant Protection," on November 8, 2019, representing both India and Germany on a global stage. To this day it feels surreal, as to how a spontaneous decision on a summer afternoon gave me one of the biggest exposures in life. In case I have piqued your interest, the pitch is available on the Falling Walls Lab YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/At83ecjEf3U?si=cMMe6TMzXcIze3ts). I need to mention David Spencer here, who qualified with me, from Lab Rhineland to present in Berlin on the importance of genetically modified crops (https://youtu.be/UQP2O2mZnk4?si=e1pOutwQB8UUDnGi). The final statement of David's pitch, "Give Genes a Chance," is in fact an initiative launched together with Svenja Augustin that has grown into a thriving community of over 370 early-career researchers, as well as advanced scientists (https://givegenesachance.eu). In essence, preparing for the Falling Walls Lab made me remember the larger purpose of plant science research in achieving food security, amid all the inoculation assays under laminar flow hoods and protein extractions from bacterial cells. Breaking the first wall of outreach opened a whole new world for me. Join Priyamedha again in the December 2024 issue of Interactions, when we'll learn about the new outreach and communication experiences that Falling Walls opened for Priyamedha. Do you have a plant-microbe related outreach or communication story to share? Contact Interactions EIC Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi. |
| In 2020, MPMI spearheaded an effort to add assistant feature editors (AFEs) to the MPMI Editorial Board. AFEs have two-year appointments to explore new ways to present and amplify journal articles. After reviewing submissions from this year's applicants, four new AFEs have joined the MPMI Board. AFEs will also contribute to Interactions content. Meet them here. Ved PrakashPosition Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA Introduce yourself—your background, where you are now, and your current research focus. I come from Varanasi, India. I have completed my B.S. degree in science from Udai Pratap Autonomous College and M.S. degree in applied microbiology from Banaras Hindu University. I studied host-virus interactions during my doctoral research at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, under the supervision of Prof. Supriya Chakraborty. As a senior research fellow, I worked with Dr. Ramesh Sonti at NIPGR, New Delhi, generating a CRISPR/CAS9-edited rice variety for improved resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae. In 2021, I moved to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA, as a postdoctoral associate in the lab of Dr. Clare Casteel, where I studied how viruses can help plants survive under drought stress. At present, I am working as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Shahideh Nouri at Kansas State University. Here, I am trying to find new source(s) of resistance/tolerance against wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus by utilizing wild wheat relatives, ultimately aiming to improve bread wheat. Why did you apply to be an assistant editor? I am very excited about my role as an AFE for the MPMI journal. Studying the mechanisms by which pathogens can cause disease in certain hosts and how some hosts show resistance to the disease fascinates me. This is why I applied for the AFE position, as working with the journal will enhance my understanding of the field. My expertise in reviewing scientific articles and my background in plant virology research have equipped me with a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and communication abilities. The chance to contribute to the journal, which publishes cutting-edge studies in the area of plant-pathogen interactions, excites me, and I'm looking forward to helping to expand the audience for the articles the journal publishes. Furthermore, this position presents a special opportunity for me to develop professionally and stay at the cutting edge of plant-pathogen interaction research. What do you hope to accomplish during your time as an assistant editor, and what do you most look forward to in this position? As an AFE, I would like to enhance the reach of the published articles to the audience. I can do this by writing commentaries about the published articles, interviewing the main/lead authors, and contributing to the press release for the journal. I am also looking forward to working with the editorial team to foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages the best scientific communication. I also will use this opportunity to make new connections and collaborations for scientific work. Additionally, I am excited about the opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in plant-pathogen interactions and to broaden my knowledge in various subfields.
Jawahar Singh
Position Postdoctoral Research Associate, Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Introduce yourself—your background, where you are now, and your current research focus. My name is Jawahar Singh, and I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge (SLCU), under the supervision of Dr. Sebastian Schornack. My academic journey began with perusing an M.S. degree in biochemistry at West Bengal State University, Kolkata, India. I then explored the proteomic responses of pearl millet to salinity stress during my tenure as a research Fellow at Jai Narain Vyas University (JNVU), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. I completed my Ph.D. degree at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, India, where my research focused on elucidating the molecular components and associated signaling involved in chickpea-rhizobia symbiosis. My expertise in symbiotic interactions was honed further during my postdoctoral fellowship at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), where I investigated the nodulation process in common bean under phosphorus deficiency. Currently, my research at the SLCU focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen acquisition in legumes, with an emphasis on improving nitrogen fixation and field performance in crops like cowpea and soybean through molecular, genetic, and cell-biology approaches. Why did you apply to be an assistant editor? I applied to be an assistant editor for MPMI because I am passionate about science communication and want to contribute to the dissemination of cutting-edge research in this field. Being an assistant editor provides a unique opportunity to stay abreast of the latest developments, engage with innovative research, and support the scientific community by ensuring high-quality publications. I firmly believe in the transformative power of science to improve lives, and I am thrilled at the prospect of contributing to MPMI's mission. My background as a researcher in plant-microbe interactions, coupled with my expertise in effectively communicating scientific concepts to diverse audiences, uniquely positions me to support the journal's objectives. What do you hope to accomplish during your time as an assistant editor, and what do you most look forward to in this position? During my tenure as an assistant editor, I want to highlight and simplify the significant work done by first authors and early-career scientists. This role will also be a fantastic opportunity to broaden my knowledge on plant-microbe interactions beyond my personal research focus. I am excited about gaining insights into the editorial process and enhancing my editorial skills, which will be invaluable for my future career in academia and research. Becoming an AFE with MPMI will not only strengthen my scientific network, but also accelerate my career progression. Ultimately, I aspire to become an independent researcher and lead a research group dedicated to exploring plant symbiotic interactions for sustainable agriculture. MPMI's esteemed reputation and commitment to impactful science communication make it an ideal platform for achieving these aspirations.
Meenu Singla-Rastogi
Position Postdoctoral Researcher, Innes Lab, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA Introduce yourself—your background, where you are now, and your current research focus. I am Meenu Singla-Rastogi, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Prof. Roger W. Innes in the Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington. My current research focus is to investigate the role of biomolecules, including RNA and proteins, present in the plant apoplast and on the leaf surface, and whether their secretion in these extracellular compartments has biological significance in the context of plant-microbe interactions. My latest scientific obsession is to learn whether host-induced gene silencing is mediated by the silencing RNAs that we have recently discovered to be present on leaf surfaces and whether the phytopathogens can take up these RNAs much before penetrating the plant cell wall. Prior to this, I completed my Ph.D. degree in plant immunity under the supervision of Dr. Lionel Navarro at IBENS, Paris, in 2019. I elucidated the role of plant-encoded artificial small RNAs in targeting virulence genes of phytopathogenic bacteria, which lack a conventional eukaryotic-like RNAi machinery. Overall, this work unveiled a novel phenomenon of trans-kingdom regulation between a eukaryotic host and a prokaryotic pathogen, which was previously unknown. I have always been intrigued by the arms race between plants and their interactions with pathogens and wonder what role the secreted RNAs might play in this warfare. Why did you apply to be an assistant editor? I delved into the world of scientific editing and gained editorial experience when I served as a freelance specialist editor for Cactus Communications during the global pandemic. When I learned about the AFE position, I applied for it without a second thought, as I wanted to gain an insider view of the meticulous editorial process that is essential in maintaining the high standards of a reputable journal like Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI). I am drawn to the MPMI journal for its dedication to promoting fundamental, as well as cutting-edge, plant-microbe interaction research and facilitating cross-disciplinary dialogue in innovative ways. IS-MPMI was the first international scientific community I engaged with when I attended the IS-MPMI Congress in 2019. I then organized a plenary session titled "Who Wants to Be an (MPMI)llionaire?" at the 19th IS-MPMI Congress of held in Providence, RI, USA. My goal was to engage the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc attendees with the diverse topics of plenary talks in a fun and novel way, even if the topics may not be of particular interest to them. This scientific society has provided me with immense opportunities and supported me to grow as an early-career researcher. The primary reason behind my applying for this position was to engage with the IS-MPMI community more intrinsically. What do you hope to accomplish during your time as an assistant editor, and what do you most look forward to in this position? This is a unique opportunity, and I am happy to become an integral part of a dynamic editorial team. I am sure that this opportunity will enable me to make meaningful contributions toward advancing the field of plant-microbe interactions while further developing my skills as an effective science communicator and editor. As an AFE, I am most excited about articulating nontechnical, but well-researched and -structured, content to feature or highlight the work published in the MPMI journal. This will not only allow me to communicate and network with peers at similar career stages, but also help me expand my knowledge on topics that are beyond my research interests. Given an opportunity, I wish to explore new ways of scientific storytelling to capture the interest of a broad readership, as I am deeply passionate about science communication and enjoy organizing fun and engaging activities to promote plant science. I also look forward to working closely with the editorial team and gaining insights into the editing, reviewing, and decision-making processes.
Ruby TiwariPosition Postdoctoral Associate, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Olivette, MO, USA Introduce yourself—your background, where you are now, and your current research focus. I am Ruby Tiwari, currently a postdoctoral associate in Dr. Dilip Shah's lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Originally from Delhi, India, I completed my Ph.D. degree in genetics at the University of Delhi, South Campus, under the guidance of Prof. Manchikatla Venkat Rajam. My doctoral research focused on RNAi-mediated silencing of abiotic stress-related genes to engineer heat and drought tolerance in soybean. In my current role at the Danforth Center, my research focus is on exploring the potential of antimicrobial peptides to raise crop productivity. I am investigating the mode of action of plant defensins and defensin-like peptides to combat fungal diseases. My work aims to advance our understanding of these peptides and their applications in enhancing crop resilience and agricultural productivity. Why did you apply to be an assistant editor? I am inspired by the innovative ways MPMI promotes research and supports researchers, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to these efforts. My experience during my Ph.D. studies highlighted the challenges of communicating scientific research to nonspecialists, such as explaining my work to my parents. This experience underscored the importance of effective science communication and inspired me to seek ways to simplify and clarify research for a broader audience. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop and apply creative communication strategies, turning complex research into digestible content. I am eager to engage with cutting-edge research, refine my skills in science communication, and contribute to making significant scientific knowledge more accessible and impactful worldwide. Moreover, I am passionate about celebrating the achievements and diversity within the scientific community and am committed to promoting open, inclusive, and equitable access to knowledge. What do you hope to accomplish during your time as assistant editor, and what do you most look forward to in this position? I aim to explore and implement innovative ways to communicate complex research findings to a broader audience. By translating intricate scientific concepts into accessible and engaging content, I hope to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of plant-microbe interactions. I want to refine my scientific communication abilities, enhance my creative thinking, and strengthen my interpersonal skills. These competencies are crucial for effectively conveying research insights and fostering meaningful connections within the scientific community. I look forward to engaging with scientists from diverse backgrounds, discussing their research, and integrating their perspectives into the journal. Building relationships within the plant-microbe community and contributing to collaborative efforts are important aspects of my role. I am excited to be part of a dynamic team that promotes and disseminates groundbreaking research. Overall, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of connecting with researchers and contributing to the multidisciplinary field of plant-microbe interactions.
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| Patricia Baldrich González My journey as a scientist has taken me across multiple continents, allowing me to engage with diverse ecosystems, research methodologies, and scientific communities. This global perspective has been invaluable in broadening my understanding and contributing to the advancement of my knowledge in plant-microbe interactions. Let me begin by telling you about myself. I am originally from the northeast region of Spain known as Catalonia. Many people I've met around the world are unaware that most individuals raised in this region are bilingual from birth. We speak both Catalan and Spanish, and both languages are officially recognized. This blend of languages has granted us a unique cultural identity within Spain's multilingual tapestry. I believe that this, combined with my parents' love for travel, instilled in me a constant desire for new adventures. The Spark of Passion During my college years, I received an ERASMUS fellowship to spend six months in a laboratory in Toulouse, in the south of France. It was an incredible experience that I highly recommend to anyone who can manage it in terms of both time and finances. While it delayed my graduation by one semester, this opportunity sparked my passion for plant-microbe interactions and confirmed my desire to pursue a career in scientific research. It was also a fantastic initial experience living outside of my birth country. Being just a short four-hour drive away provided me with the comfort I needed, knowing I could return home whenever necessary or desired. When it ended, I knew it would not be my last experience abroad. Broadening Horizons Once I finished my master's degree, I joined a lab in Barcelona to start my Ph.D. program working on plant-pathogen interactions in Arabidopsis and rice. I was lucky enough to find a great lab family that welcomed me and to work on a subject that I find fascinating. During one of my first meetings with my Ph.D. adviser, I boldly expressed my desire for a unique experience that would expand my horizons. I loved being close to my family and friends, but I yearned for the chance to work in a different lab environment—one that was as geographically distant from my current location as possible—for a few months. Understanding my drive for this enriching experience, my advisor leveraged her international connections and arranged for me to spend an entire summer in Taipei, Taiwan. This was facilitated through a collaboration that our lab had with a research group based there. This international exposure not only broadened my academic perspective, but also enriched me personally. I was privileged to receive a fellowship from the Taiwanese government as part of a special program for European-Taiwanese student exchange. This marked my first experience working in a lab outside of Europe. The shift was significant, as I found myself immersed in English, both at work and in daily life, around the clock. Despite the cultural differences, I found common ground with the Taiwanese Ph.D. students in the lab. I sampled new foods and taught many people how to make "Pa amb tomaquet" (a Catalan specialty of fresh tomato and garlic on toasted sourdough bread). I danced to new music and shared my Catalan roots with my new friends, a true embodiment of cultural exchange. Immersion in a new culture can be personally and professionally challenging but also enriching, fostering cross-cultural understanding and the exchange of ideas. New Challenges and Opportunities As my Ph.D. graduation date approached, I decided to contact a professor in the United States whose work excited me. Luckily, he had an open spot in his lab and accepted my application. I sold all of my furniture, my car, left some belongings at my parents' house, packed two suitcases, and left Spain with no return date. I sought new scientific horizons and experiences, aiming for a place where I could conduct experiments without budget constraints. I also hoped, however, to find a community of like-minded people passionate about science. I found that place in St. Louis, MO. The arrival in St. Louis was bumpy. I had to rent an apartment without seeing it, get a new driver's license, and adapt to a different language. Starting a new life in a place where I knew no one was challenging. For a couple of months, I came home to an empty house, unable to share my day with anyone familiar. My friends and family were seven time zones away, sleeping. Despite these challenges, I immersed myself in my work, joined many meet-up groups of different interests, and gradually built a new network of friends and colleagues. During this time, I also learned how to navigate the complex and time-consuming visa and immigration processes, which include the potential for delays and complications. For example, during the pandemic, my H1B visa expired, and to get it renewed, I had to return to Spain. However, the U.S. embassy in Madrid was fully closed and not processing visas. I had to wait many months and leave the United States without the certainty that I would be able to return. This barrier was a source of stress and anxiety for me and many other immigrants. The Ongoing Journey Over the years, I have worked on three different continents, learning to be flexible and resourceful, while gaining a wide network of colleagues and mentors. This experience has enabled me to communicate inclusively and relate to diverse perspectives. Although it came with challenges and cultural adjustments, I would choose this path again. Now, I have a wonderful family in the United States, an amazing partner, two beautiful boys aged 5 and 3, and a big dog. We are about to embark on a new adventure, moving to Davis, CA. This move will bring new challenges and experiences, continuing the journey of growth and discovery not just about professional development, but also about discovering new aspects of myself.
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| Diversity and inclusion
are core values of the International Society of Molecular Plant-Microbe
Interactions. We are committed to cultivating and supporting a diverse
membership, with inclusion, openness, and respect. Diverse groups are
demonstrated to be more productive and creative and better able to answer key
questions. We encourage all interested people to explore plant-microbe
interactions, independent of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity,
immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and
socio-economic status.
As an international
society, it is our priority to increase diversity and facilitate change. IS-MPMI
has created a Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) that will foster an
inclusive environment within our community.
Over the course of the
unusual times in which we are living, the CDI has been working closely with
another IS-MPMI initiative, IS-MPMIConnect, that is focused on fostering bonds among
all members of our scientific community. Future work from the committee will include
increasing visibility and discussions about equity, diversity and inclusion
(EDI) in IS-MPMI eSymposia, as well as in-person meetings.
IS-MPMI Diversity and
Inclusion Committee Members
Prof. Giles E. D. Oldroyd FRS Director, Crop Science Centre, University of Cambridge
I have worked
in plant-microbe interactions for 30 years and been an openly gay man over this
whole period. I moved to Berkeley, CA, as an undergraduate student to work with
Brian Staskawicz
and came out as a gay man within two months of arrival. My professional life
and my minority status have been intertwined ever since.
I was born in
the early 1970s. I benefitted from the early LGBT+ pioneers, whose efforts
meant that there were some positive presentations of LGBT on television and
films as I was growing up. However, throughout my schooling I experienced
discrimination against my identity on a daily basis: my sexuality was something
to be ridiculed. Growing up like this does not engender a deep sense of one's
worth. I focused instead on what I was good at, studying, and kept my sexual
identity hidden until I felt able to come out.
When I moved
to San Francisco, CA, I entered a bubble of LGBT+ liberation. It was an
exciting time for me, discovering much about myself personally and
professionally. It is difficult to describe the feeling of being liberated and
free, after a lifetime of oppression. To this day, coming out as a gay man
remains my most authentic act.
When I
returned to the United Kingdom, I found myself the only out LGBT+ faculty
member at my place of work. While I was out, I wasn't very open about my
sexuality, and this is something that I now regret. Speaking openly about
sexual identity is a challenging thing to do in a professional context, and it
took 15 years to hear the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender spoken in
any professional context. I now recognize that it is really important for LGBT+
staff members to be vocal about their identities: if we are not vocal, very few
people will be vocal for us.
Patricia Baldrich Postdoctoral Researcher,
Meyers Lab, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
My passion for
plant-microbe interactions grew during the second year of studying for my
bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Barcelona. I understood that
plants are aware of their surroundings and communicate with each other to
protect themselves from pathogen attacks. These new concepts just blew my mind,
and a few years later, after completing my master's degree in molecular
biotechnology at the University of Barcelona, I graduated with a Ph.D. degree
in plant biotechnology, studying the role of small RNAs in plant defense
against fungi, at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Today, I live in St. Louis,
MO (USA), and I study the role of small RNAs as a way of communication between
plants and all sorts of pathogens, trying to unravel how these small RNAs make
their way from one organism to another.
I am a woman and a mother
and soon to be the mother of two boys. During my career in plant biology, I
have been extremely lucky; I have always had female role models to look up to,
and I have always had my family's unconditional support, even if they had a
hard time understanding what I was doing. However, since becoming a mother, I have
felt that our scientific environment is not shaped to support and encourage all
of us. Since becoming a mother, I cannot nor do I want to attend scientific
events that happen on weekends. I prefer to spend my "free" time with
my family. Since becoming a mother, traveling to conferences that do not
provide affordable daycare is hard and nearly impossible. Since becoming a
mother, I've started noticing that there are little details that do not allow
all of us to enjoy science in the same way. These are some of the reasons I
joined the IS-MPMI Board of Directors as a junior member and the IS-MPMI CDI to
instigate change to make science a more inclusive and accommodating
environment.
Ayooluwa Bolaji (She/Her) Research Scientist,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Currently, I work as a research
scientist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Winnipeg, MB, Canada,
where my projects focus on microbial genomes. Prior to joining the CFIA, I was
a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manitoba, where I utilized
next-generation and long-read sequencing approaches to shed light on how
certain microbes promote the growth of Canada's crops (canola and soybean). As
a young black woman in STEM who has experienced both microaggressions and
discrimination within the scientific community, I feel that more needs to be
done to make everyone feel welcomed, and tough conversations must be had. Being
a part of the IS-MPMI CDI has opened my eyes to the many things that can be
done to raise diversity awareness and proffer solutions for the inclusion of
both women and BIPOC in STEM. I look forward to working with the CDI to facilitate
and address some of these tough conversations within the IS-MPMI society.
Outside the lab, I enjoy golfing and going on long bike rides.
Franck Ditengou (He/Him) Lecturer, University of
Freiburg
After a first postdoc position at the Institut National de la Recherche
Agronomique (INRA) in Nancy (France), I joined the team of Prof. Klaus Palme at the
University of Freiburg (Germany) in 2002 to study how the root system copes
with environmental (biotic and abiotic) changes. Particularly, the
communication between plants and soil fungi prior to symbiosis establishment,
the impact of mechanical stimuli on root system architecture, and the molecular
mechanisms regulating plant response to gravity and microgravity. It is in this
context that I coordinated several parabolic flights and sounding rocket
campaigns, during which multiscale analyses of plant development under various
gravitational environments were performed. The results of these studies serve
as the basis for the development of procedures and methods for selecting plants
capable of growing in alien environments.
Since 2007, I have been
appointed as a lecturer at the University of Freiburg (Faculty of
Biology), and in 2017, I joined the team of Prof. Thomas Ott in the
scope of the ENSA project. The objective of this project is to use naturally
occurring biological nitrogen fixation to conceive self-fertilizing crops
within the reach of small farmers in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Our laboratory
focuses on the characterization of the molecular processes modulating the
initial steps of rhizobial infection. For someone with African roots, like me,
this project is a great opportunity to contribute my knowledge to improving
living conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition, currently I am the assistant treasurer of the IS-MPMI CDI. Having
observed the scientific community for a long time, especially in our field, I
have noticed that it would benefit from being more inclusive. This is the
meaning of my commitment within the CDI to encourage research institutes and
labs to have a more balanced representation across the spectrum of society.
Non-scientific interests and other responsibilities: I am the president and a founding
member of GABIOMED Researchers Inc. (www.gabiomed.org). GABIOMED Researchers Inc. gathers Gabonese scientists with backgrounds
in life science and environment, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion. I
am an active member of the Spvgg.
Gundelfingen/Wildtal football club.
Ariel Herrera Vásquez (He/Him) Postdoc, Millennium
Institute of integrative Biology (iBio) and Andres Bello University (UNAB)
My name is Ariel Herrera
Vásquez, and I'm a Chilean postdoc at the Millennium Institute of integrative
Biology (iBio) and Andres Bello University (UNAB) in Santiago, Chile. I
recently won a small grant to open an independent research line that could kick
start a career as an independent researcher. When I'm not working, I enjoy
spending time outdoors. I also like cooking and crafting.
Before the first EDI
reunion during the IS-MPMI meeting in Glasgow (2019), I never thought about the
enormous human diversity in science and how different experiences are depending
on the cultural context where colleagues do their research. As a Latin American
gay scientist, it is a great honor to participate in CDI to help to make
visible and increase diversity to facilitate inclusion and changes in our
community.
Charles Roussin-Léveillée (He/Him) Ph.D. student, University
of Sherbrooke
Hi! My name is Charles,
and I am a Ph.D. student in Dr. Peter Moffett's lab at the University of Sherbrooke, in
the fabulous province of Quebec, Canada. I am interested in plant-microbe
interactions and, more specifically, in how microbial invaders manipulate their
host cells beyond interference with immune processes. I am an avid hiker,
sourdough bread maker, and gardener.
I grew up in a very
diverse community and wasn't necessarily very aware as a young person of all
the inequalities that people face in this world. As I grew up and went to
college, I began to realize that many people around me were facing obstacles in
their lives and careers that I would not have to face, and I could not accept
that. I was fortunate to have life-changing conversations during the first EDI
night at IS-MPMI 2019 in Glasgow about approaches we could take in our society
to reduce inequality in the workplace, as well as outside of it. While I am not
a member of any underrepresented group in our community, I stand as a strong
ally to all causes aimed at creating a vibrant, nondiscriminatory environment
for all.
Simona Radutoiu Associate
professor, Aarhus University
Simona Radutoiu leads a research group focused on studies of
interactions established between plants and the large diversity of surrounding
microbes. Her team uses genetic and molecular tools to decipher the role of
plant components in establishing symbiotic associations with beneficial
bacteria and fungi or pathogenic associations with detrimental microorganisms.
The aim is to use contrasting associations and microbial environments of
increasing complexities (single microbes–>tailored microbial consortia–>soil
complex microbiota) to understand how plants use their distinct genetic tools
to select and accommodate beneficial microbes in their roots and rhizosphere.
Our long-term goal is to use our basic understanding to improve the ability of
plant crops to select, associate, and benefit from these microbial interactions
in sustainable agriculture that limits the use of chemical pollutants.
Simona's team consists of bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degree
students, postdocs, technicians, and visiting scholars and receives funding
from targeted grants (Novo Nordisk and Independent Research Fund Denmark) and
larger consortia (InRoot and ENSA). We are always open for discussions about our
work. Please contact us (radutoiu@mbg.au.dk) if you are interested
in hearing more about our research.
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| Editor's Note: InterFaces is a new section of Interactions that recognizes scientists who have contributed to our field.
Ann M. Hirsch,1 Euan K. James,2 and Janet I. Sprent3
1 Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 U.S.A.
2 The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, U.K.
3 Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, U.K.
Science is based on discovery, but often, the awards and kudos go to the scientists who take the initial findings of others to the point at which they become canon. Yet without the initial discovery and the research that enabled it, our understanding of the intricacies of nature would be incomplete. Science needs pioneers who undertake the study of various phenomena not because they are fashionable or fundable but because the pioneers are curious and want to learn more about the world around them.
Until 2001, only the alpha-proteobacteria (specifically, Rhizobium sensu lato) were known to nodulate legumes. The discovery that year by Moulin et al. (2001) that beta-proteobacteria (specifically, Burkholderia) nodulated legumes generated a great deal of excitement. Numerous investigators looked for more strains, plant assays were performed, and genomes were sequenced. Why had this group of nodulating bacteria, called “beta-rhizobia,” been overlooked? Some thought it was because the two nodulating strains described in Moulin et al. were isolated from Papilionoid legumes growing in the Fynbos of South Africa or in the tropical forests of French Guiana and because so few studies had been made in either country. This is partly true. However, Burkholderia strains were isolated from Mimosoid legume nodules much earlier than the Fynbos and French Guiana representatives but not from Africa or South America. Michael J. Trinick, who graduated in Agricultural Science (BSc Agr; majoring in soil microbiology) from the University of Sydney in 1958 was the first to isolate them from legumes growing in Papua New Guinea, and he gave the strains to Ivan Kennedy of the same university. These strains, some of which were reported as effective “Rhizobium” symbionts of Mimosa in Trinick (1980), were later described in detail as Mimosa-nodulating Burkholderia and Cupriavidus strains (Elliot et al., 2007, 2009).
Trinick conducted studies using serology and various other characteristics of the bacteria, such as vitamin requirements and carbohydrate utilization, and from them, he discovered that nodules isolated from plants growing in poor soils contained bacteria other than Rhizobium sensu stricto. However, Vincent (1970) cautioned readers against isolating nonrhizobial contaminants from nodules. Could this warning have influenced an avenue of discovery that was not publishable until 2001? It seems likely. Furthermore, after Burkholderia species were first isolated from legume nodules, a number of researchers were concerned that they might be closely related to mammalian and plant pathogens, because this genus is well known for its virulence on both plants and humans. However, phylogenetic studies using 16S RNA (Gyaneshwar et al., 2011) and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) (Estrada de-los Santos et al., 2013) separated the symbionts from the pathogens, and based on these studies and others, many species were categorized into two new genera: namely, Paraburkholderia (Sawana et al., 2014) and Caballeronia (Dobritsa and Samadpour, 2016). Our most recent effort was to separate a distinct subgroup of nonpathogenic species into a new genus, which we named Trinickia, after Michael Trinick (Estrada-de los Santos et al., 2018).
Trinick also made other important discoveries. After graduating from the University of Sydney, he joined the Department of Agriculture, Stock, and Fisheries in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in 1959 in the plant pathology department. After extensive research into the tropical legumes of this region, he received an MS in agriculture from the University of Sydney in October 1966. At this time, he discovered the promiscuous Rhizobium strain NGR234, which nodulates an exceptionally broad range of legume species. This finding led to many discoveries about variations in genetic factors, such as the type 3 secretion system, which controls host specificity in the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis (Deakin and Broughton, 2009).
Trinick wrote his PhD thesis, “The Ecology of Rhizobium-Interactions between Rhizobium Strains and Other Soil Microorganisms,” after studying the influence of the soil microflora on the survival of strains of R. trifolii, R. meliloti, and R. lupini in the sandy soils of western Australia. He received his doctoral degree in 1970 from the University of Western Australia. While in Papua New Guinea, Trinick also discovered that a nonlegume, Parasponia (Cannabaceae), was nodulated by Rhizobium species. The original description was for a related species, Trema aspera (now cannabina) (Trinick, 1973), but it was later reported that the actual nodulating nonlegume was a sister species of Trema—namely, Parasponia parviflora Miq. (Akkermanns et al., 1978). Research on Parasponia species dominated his later studies at the CSIRO, Division of Plant Industry and Land Management. Investigations with C. A. Appleby, J. B. Whittenburg, B. A. Whittenburg, A. A. Kortt, D. J. Goodchild, and others set up a baseline for studies on this unexpected symbiosis between a no-legume and a Rhizobium strain. Trinick’s discoveries opened new doors to study the evolution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the possibility of transferring nodulation ability to other nonlegumes (Van Vetzen et al., 2018).
The discoveries of (1) strain NGR234 and (2) the different behaviors of fast-growing versus slow-growing rhizobial strains and their beta-rhizobia counterparts, as well as (3) detailed studies on Parasponia, established a solid foundation upon which many more recent investigations have been established and future studies will be based. Three cheers and many thanks to Michael Trinick for three incredible breakthroughs in symbiotic nitrogen fixation!
References
Akkermanns, A. D. L., Abdulkadir, S., and Trinick, M. J. 1978. N2-fixing root nodules in Ulmaceae: Parasponia or (and) Trema spp.? Plant Soil 49:711-715.
Deakin, W. J., and Broughton, W. J. 2009. Symbiotic use of pathogenic strategies: Rhizobial protein secretion systems. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 6:312-320. doi:10.1038/nrmicro2091
Dobritsa, A. P., and Samadpour, M. 2016. Transfer of eleven Burkholderia species to the genus Paraburkholderia and proposal of Caballeronia gen. nov., a new genus to accommodate twelve species of Burkholderia and Paraburkholderia. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 66:2836-2846. doi:10:1094/ijsem.0.001065
Elliott, G. N, Chen, W. M., Chou, J. H., Wang, H. C., Sheu, S. Y., Perin, L., Reis, V. M., Moulin, L., Simon, M. F., and Bontemps, C. 2007. Burkholderia phymatum is a highly effective nitrogen‐fixing symbiont of Mimosa spp. and fixes nitrogen ex planta. New Phytol. 173:168-180. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01894.x
Elliott, G. N., Chou, J.-H., Chen, W.-M., Bloemberg, G. V., Bontemps, C., Martínez- Romero, E., Velázquez, E., Young, J .P. W., Sprent, J. I., and James, E. K. 2009. Burkholderia spp. are the most competitive symbionts of Mimosa, particularly under N-limited conditions. Environ. Microbiol. 11:762-778.
Estrada-de los Santos, P., Vinuesa, P., Martínez-Aguilar, L., Hirsch, A. M., and Caballero-Mellado, J. 2013. Phylogenetic analysis of Burkholderia species by multilocus sequence analysis. Curr. Microbiol. 67:51-60.
Estrada-de los Santos, P., et al. 2018. Whole genome analyses suggest that Burkholderia sensu lato contains two further novel genera in the “rhizoxinica-symbiotica group” (Mycetohabitans gen. nov., and Trinickia gen. nov.): Implications for the evolution of diazotrophy and nodulation in the Burkholderiaceae. Genes 9:389. doi:10.3390/genes9080389
Gyaneshwar, P., Hirsch, A. M., Moulin, L., Chen, W. M., Elliott, G. N., Bontemps, C., Estrada-de los Santos, P., Gross, E., Bueno dos Reis Junior, F., Sprent, J. I., Young, J. P. W., and James, E. K. 2011. Legume nodulating β-proteobacteria: diversity, host range and future prospects. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interactions 24:1276-1288.
Moulin, L., Munive, A., Dreyfus, B., and Boivin-Masson, C. 2001. Nodulation of legumes by members of the β-subclass of Proteobacteria. Nature 411:948-950.
Sawana, A., Adeolu, M., and Gupta, R. S. 2014. Molecular signatures and phylogenomic analysis of the genus Burkholderia: Proposal for division of this genus into the emended genus Burkholderia containing pathogenic organisms and a new genus Paraburkholderia gen. nov. harboring environmental species. Front. Genet. 5:429. doi:10.3389/fgene.2014.00429
Trinick, M. J. 1973. Symbiosis between Rhizobium and the non-legume, Trema aspera. Nature 244:459-460.
Trinick, M. J. 1980. Relationships amongst the fast-growing rhizobia of Lablab purpureus, Leucaena leucocephala, Mimosa spp., Acacia farnesiana and Sesbania grandiflora and their affinities with other rhizobial groups. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 49:39-53.
Van Vetzen, R., Doyle J. J., and Guerts, R. 2018. A resurrected scenario: Single gain and massive loss of nitrogen-fixing nodulation. Trends Plant Sci. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2018.10.005
Vincent, J. M. 1970. A manual for the practical study of root nodule bacteria. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific.
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