Current Research Projects
Our goal is to leverage plant–microbe chemical interactions in the rhizosphere for sustainable agriculture
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The role of rhizosphere microbiome and exometabolome in plant-soil feedbacks
Plants change the biological and chemical properties of soil and these changes eventually influence the performance of plants. For instance, banana plants and apple trees often suffer from replanting failures when new trees are planted in the same soil. Yet evidence that specific rhizosphere microbe and/or specific root metabolite have a direct feedback effect is limited. To decipher the function of rhizosphere microbiome and exometabolome in plant-soil feedbacks, we use “omics” approaches applied to lab experiments but also to real-world conditions in field explorations. |
by Dr. Navot Galpaz (Northern R&D, Israel)
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Microbial modulation of root growth, metabolism and exudation
In nature or in crop fields, symbiotic or biotrophic interactions of plants with fungi, bacteria and other soil organisms have critical impacts on plants. We study how microbes, either as monocultures or in combination (synthetic microbial communities), affect root growth, metabolism and exudation (including SIREM). |
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Root microbiome and metabolome of crop and wild plants
Belowground, root exudates serve as mediators of plant-microbiome interactions and regulate the microbial activities in the root vicinity. Wild relatives of crop plants are a valuable source of genetic diversity and root microbiome traits. We investigate the role of small molecules in roots shaping the root microbiome by comparing domesticated and wild plants. |
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Root and exudate metabolome analysis
Decoding the rhizosphere language
Plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere are mostly chemical. Metabolites exuded by roots are extremely diverse; this chemical variety of root exudates shapes the rhizosphere microbiome and is yet largely unknown. We evaluate the chemical diversity in root exudates, and the metabolic connectivity among root exudates and the rhizosphere microbes in model and non-model plants.
Plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere are mostly chemical. Metabolites exuded by roots are extremely diverse; this chemical variety of root exudates shapes the rhizosphere microbiome and is yet largely unknown. We evaluate the chemical diversity in root exudates, and the metabolic connectivity among root exudates and the rhizosphere microbes in model and non-model plants.
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