Organ- and cell type-specific responses to temperature in plants

Plants demonstrate remarkable adaptability to their environments, with temperature being a key factor in shaping their development.

Understanding how plants perceive and respond to temperature fluctuations, particularly within non-stressful ranges (12–28ºC for Arabidopsis thaliana), is critical for optimizing plant fitness in the context of climate change.

This project aims to unravel the mechanisms regulating temperature signaling in plants, focusing on how different organs, tissues, and cell types perceive and react to temperature changes.To address these challenges, we will first define and validate organ-specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) in roots and shoots (WP1) and investigate how temperature variations in the aerial parts influence root behavior using a novel experimental system (WP2).

Additionally, we will explore cell-type-specific GRNs through single-cell RNA sequencing of leaves under different temperature conditions (WP3).This interdisciplinary approach, supported by leading research institutions, is expected to provide new insights into plant temperature signaling.

The findings will enhance our long-term capacity to predict and manipulate plant responses to climate change, with potential applications in agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, this project will significantly advance my expertise in plant molecular biology and bioinformatics, positioning me as a leader in plant-environment interactions .