RESEARCH: PARASITIC WEED
FOLDING PROJECT #18901 PROFILE

Parasitic weeds like Striga cause billions of dollars in crop damage each year. They use a chemical signal from host plants called strigolactone to grow. The project aims to understand how these weeds sense this signal so we can develop new ways to stop them.

Hormone signaling in parasitic weeds Parasitic weeds such as Striga destroy ~$10 billion worth of food crops worldwide every year.

Their seeds can lie dormant in the soil for years and germinate when it detects a chemical signal from host plants called strigolactone.

Additionally, the receptor proteins that perceive strigolactone are several orders of magnitude more sensitive than the ones found in host plants, meaning they can induce signaling at much lower levels of strigolactone.

This series of project aims to provide molecular insight into the strigolactone signaling process to facilitate the design of agrochemicals that can be used to combat parasitic weeds.

Hormone

Chemical messengers that regulate plant growth and development.

Hormones are essential signaling molecules in plants. They control various processes like growth, flowering, fruit ripening, and responses to environmental stimuli. Different hormones have specific functions, and their interactions create a complex regulatory network.

Signal

Information transmitted between cells or organisms.

Signals are essential for communication and coordination in living systems. They can be chemical (like hormones), electrical, or mechanical. Signal transduction is the process by which signals are received, processed, and ultimately lead to a specific response.

Strigolactone

A class of plant hormones that regulate growth and development.

Strigolactones are a group of plant hormones involved in various processes like branching, root development, and interactions with symbiotic fungi. They also play a crucial role in parasitic weed germination by acting as chemical signals for the parasite.

Receptor

A protein that binds to a specific molecule (ligand) and initiates a cellular response.

Receptors are essential components of signal transduction pathways. They recognize and bind to specific signaling molecules (ligands), triggering a cascade of events within the cell. This ultimately leads to a specific cellular response, such as gene expression or changes in protein activity.

Germination

The process of a seed sprouting and developing into a seedling.

Germination is the critical stage in a plant's life cycle where a dormant seed awakens and begins to grow. It involves various physiological changes, including water absorption, enzyme activation, and the emergence of roots and shoots.