RESISTHorizon 2020MSCA-RISEGA 823746
In this project we will use a variety of “-omics” approaches to study the molecular mechanisms used by several species of resurrection plants to withstand extreme drought. This knowledge will be subsequently translated to economically important crops. The ultimate goal is to obtain crop varieties which are more resistant to water deficit by breeding and other non-GMO technologies.
Research approach
The newly acquired fundamental knowledge on resurrection plants will be translated to economically important species.
They can dry down entirely during extreme drought and quickly resume growth and regain normal appearance after rehydration.
Model species: Haberlea rhodopensis and Xerophyta
Sequencing, assembly and annotation of the genomes of H. rhodopensis and X. elegans; comparative transcriptome, metabolome and lipidome analyses during desiccation.
Genome comparison of extremophiles and mesophiles, functional analysis of drought-responsive genes, bioinformatics and computational modelling of desiccation tolerance.
Drought stress responses in model and crop species, and seaweed-based biostimulants to enhance yield, quality and post-harvest shelf life of crops.
Vegetative desiccation tolerance
Water deprivation is a very common event for land plants and is among the leading causes of crop yield reduction worldwide. Most relevant crops are not tolerant to drought.
Fully hydrated A
Desiccated B
2 days after rehydration C
Haberlea rhodopensis plants cultivated in vitro. A – fully hydrated; B – desiccated; C – 2 days after rehydration.
In the scientific community this extraordinary plant is best known for its remarkable desiccation tolerance, which allows it to survive the loss of 95% of the vegetative tissue relative water content for extended periods of up to 36 months. During this time photosynthesis is halted, but the photosynthetic machinery – including chlorophyll – is well-preserved. As a result, growth can be quickly resumed after rehydration.
On Haberlea rhodopensis, the “Orpheus flower”
Goal and objectives
The major goal of RESIST is to unravel the genetic determinants of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants and to identify similarities and differences with model and crop species.
Sequencing, assembly, annotation and analysis of the genomes of the resurrection species Haberlea rhodopensis and Xerophyta elegans;
Comprehensive genome comparison of publicly available genomes of extremophile species (including the abovementioned resurrection plants) and mesophiles;
Comparative transcriptome, metabolome and lipidome analyses of Haberlea rhodopensis and Xerophyta elegans during desiccation and other extreme stress conditions;
Detailed evaluation of the physiological and molecular drought stress responses in model and crop species and juxtaposition to those in resurrection plants;
Functional analysis of drought-responsive genes from the desiccation resistant Haberlea rhodopensis and Xerophyta sp.;
Bioinformatics and computational modelling of desiccation tolerance in angiosperm resurrection species;
Assessment the potential of seaweed–based biostimulants to enhance yield, quality and post-harvest shelf life of stressed and unstressed crops and optimization of the treatment regimes.
Model species
An endemic species from the Balkan Peninsula and a genus of monocots from Africa: the resurrection plants at the centre of RESIST.
Also known as the “Orpheus flower”, an endemic species from the Balkan Peninsula that grows in the Rhodope mountains in southern Bulgaria and northern Greece in rocky, shady, and humid habitats.
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A genus of monocot plants consisting of around 50 species found across Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. All tested species display vegetative desiccation tolerance.
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Consortium · Networking objective
Extensive exchange of knowledge and technologies related to resurrection plant research, genome analysis, comparative genomics, and bioinformatics between the European and South African partners, as well as between the academic institutions and the industrial representative BioAtlantis.
CPSBBBulgaria · Coordinator
MPGGermany · Beneficiary
UPGermany · Beneficiary
BGUIsrael · Beneficiary
BioAtlantisIreland · Beneficiary
UCTSouth Africa · Partner organisationEvents & training
Training events to enhance the transfer of knowledge between the partners, in fields such as plant -omics analyses, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling and soft skills.
BioAtlantis, University of Potsdam, CPSBB
OnlineCPSBB
OnlineCPSBB
Held at Golden Sands Black Sea resort, Bulgaria, together with the International Conference on Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology. Four RESIST fellows presented results obtained during the project’s secondments.
Conference report
Publications
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 81(1):117. IF 8
Plant Stress. 14: 100692. IF 6.8
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. 23: 3967-3988. IF 4.5
Secondees
Meet the researchers, technicians and managers from the partner organisations who took part in RESIST secondments.
Outreach
A public billboard exhibition in the City Garden Tsar Simeon of Plovdiv and in the park of Trakia district Alexander Panov Alley presented the project to the public.
Public billboard exhibition close to the scientific campus of CPSBB.
Public billboard exhibition in the City Garden of Plovdiv.
The two-page RESIST information leaflet.
