Integration of volatile cues and plant peptide signals for enhanced herbivore resistance in tomato

Plants are often exposed to infestation by insect herbivores. How do they defend themselves to grow and reproduce?

We know that plants can perceive volatile cues, emitted by insect infested neighboring plants, to generate faster and stronger defense responses upon subsequent herbivory. Plants can also sense peptide signals, induced by herbivory, to fight against herbivores.

However, we know close to nothing about whether plants can integrate volatile cues and peptide signals for enhanced herbivore resistance.

In InteCue, I will determine the capacity of tomato plants to integrate herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) and the peptide systemin for enhanced defense responses against herbivores. I will also assess the direct impact of HIPVs on systemin signaling.

Finally, I will explore the role of the systemin receptor SYR1 as a hub for HIPVs-systemin signal integration and regulation.

As such, I aim to unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning volatile and plant peptide signal integration and regulation in the context of plant-herbivore interactions.

By combining my knowledge of peptide signaling, the expertise of chemical ecology and the unique platform for high throughput volatile profiling from the host lab, InteCue will advance our understanding of signal integration in plant-herbivore interactions.

Ultimately, the new knowledge gained will lay the foundation of breeding pest resistant crops for sustainable agriculture.