Plant Immunity

Professor: SAIJO Yusuke
Assistant Professor: YASUDA Shigetaka; Dominguez John Jewish
Labs HP: https://bsw3.naist.jp/saijo/

Outline of Research and Education

In nature, plants harbor a diverse community of microbes, ranging from mutualistic symbionts to pathogens. The dynamics and outcomes of plant-microbe interactions, including crop disease epidemics, are profoundly influenced by environmental factors, such as water, and nutrient availability. Our research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which plants perceive and integrate biotic and abiotic signals to regulate their microbial associations in fluctuating environments. Our key research areas include: (1) immune receptor signaling and the crosstalk between biotic and abiotic stress responses, (2) infection strategies of mutualistic and pathogenic microbes, and (3) molecular understanding of host-microbe communications during mutualistic interactions and harnessing plant-associated beneficial microbes. Through these studies, we seek to reveal fundamental principles of host-microbe interactions and contribute to the advancement of sustainable agriculture.

Major Research Topics

Environment and context-dependent regulation of immune system in plants
Infection strategies and regulatory mechanisms of mutualistic and pathogenic microbes
Molecular host-microbe communications underlying symbiosis and microbiome assembly
Harnessing plant-associated mutualistic microbes for sustainable agriculture

fig.1 — Fig. 1 How plants interact with microbes—whether through mutualism or disease—varies greatly depending on environmental conditions. We are conducting research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe-environment interactions that influence plant survival and crop production.

Fig. 1 How plants interact with microbes—whether through mutualism or disease—varies greatly depending on environmental conditions. We are conducting research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe-environment interactions that influence plant survival and crop production.

fig.2 — Fig. 2 A fundamental framework for plant immunity signaling and its environmental regulation. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) at the cell surface detect microbe- and damage-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs/DAMPs), triggering intracellular defense signaling. Our research focuses on how plants integrate biotic and abiotic stress signals. For further details, see Saijo and Loo, New Phytologist (2020), and Inoue et al., Journal of Plant Research (2024).

Fig. 2 A fundamental framework for plant immunity signaling and its environmental regulation. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) at the cell surface detect microbe- and damage-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs/DAMPs), triggering intracellular defense signaling. Our research focuses on how plants integrate biotic and abiotic stress signals. For further details, see Saijo and Loo, New Phytologist (2020), and Inoue et al., Journal of Plant Research (2024).

fig.3 — Fig. 3 Plants enhance nutrient uptake from the soil through mutualistic interactions with microbes inside the roots. But how do plants attract these microbes, and how do these microbes find their host plants? We are investigating their communication mechanisms. In high-yield, non-fertilized paddy fields, we have identified beneficial bacteria residing in rice plants (left). We are also studying their colonization within roots (top right, electron microscopy) and the underlying mechanisms of this mutualism, while exploring ways to apply beneficial microbes to sustainable agriculture (bottom right).

Fig. 3 Plants enhance nutrient uptake from the soil through mutualistic interactions with microbes inside the roots. But how do plants attract these microbes, and how do these microbes find their host plants? We are investigating their communication mechanisms. In high-yield, non-fertilized paddy fields, we have identified beneficial bacteria residing in rice plants (left). We are also studying their colonization within roots (top right, electron microscopy) and the underlying mechanisms of this mutualism, while exploring ways to apply beneficial microbes to sustainable agriculture (bottom right).

References

Lab tour

Laboratories and faculty

Plant Immunity

Outline of Research and Education

Major Research Topics

References