Application of Advanced Proteosic and Imaging Tools to Understand Cross-Talk in Plant Signal Transduction and Cell Cycle Regulation

Optimal plant growth is highly relevant to agricultural crop production. A variety of processes, including seed germination, plant stature, flowering, fruit size and quality are challenged by changes in environmental conditions, progressively lowering crop yields. Optimal plant growth is the result of a regulated and coordinated sequence of cell divisions, cell elongations, and cell differentiations. Cell cycle activities and other cellular processes are regulated by phytohormones as well as by external cues and stresses. Cell cycle control and signal transduction pathways have so far largely been studied in isolation. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that plant growth is the result of the extensive cross-talk between individual signalling pathways and the cell cycle machinery. Thus, only the collaboration between highly experienced researchers with expertise in different signalling processes and through transfer of knowledge by more experienced researchers (ERs) can provide answers to the complex processes governing plant growth.

It is the declared goal of the PROTEOSIG network to train early stage researchers (ESRs) in a well-supervised and highly motivational environment through a multidisciplinary training-through-research approach. The ESRs will be supervised and supported by ERs and thus will gain general as well as specialized knowledge. Through this versatile scientific and non-scientific training, both ESRs and ERs will be given the skills to shape their future careers. Consequently, trainees of PROTEOSIG will be personally and scientifically fit to compete in a wide range of sectors and research fields.