Endocytosis in receptor-mediated Signaling

The major goal of this present training programme is to form an urgently needed group of highly qualified young European researchers in the field of plant receptor-mediated endocytosis. The time is extremely appropriate to educate young scientists that can apply techniques from disciplines such as genetics, biochemistry and molecular cell biology to the important biological challenge of Endocytosis in receptor-mediated Signaling (EndoSig). By training the EndoSig researchers in several highly versatile cutting-edge technologies such as real-time imaging, fluorescence spectroscopy and subcellular organellar proteomics, they will be able to disseminate and implement their unique gained basic scientific knowledge towards future applications in agriculture.
Endocytosis is a vital process common to all eukaryotes that retrieves membrane material and associated cargo from the plasma membrane (PM) for internal utilisation or destruction, or for processing and recycling back to the PM. Thus, it serves multiple basic processes including cell-cell communication and nutrient uptake and is of prime importance to modulate a wide variety of traits, all essential for an economical agriculture. EndoSig therefore offers the chance to intermingle biological network knowledge in a well-controlled framework to generate synergy and to inspire for future-oriented crop design and cultivation systems that are more resistant to pathogen bacteria and other challenges. And last but not least to deliver methodologies and technologies to the European agrochemical and crop industry, which is increasingly important for the energy market. The network provides for the first time the opportunity to pool unique, state-of-the-art European research expertise in plant receptor endocytosis. This will create a European-wide coordinated and unparalleled shared knowledge base and help train the next generation of critically needed European scientists in this area.