The research group
on Plant Interactions with
Microorganisms
We specialize in investigating plant microbiomes and particularly the role of microbiota in adapting plants to vegetation in environments polluted with heavy metals. The results of our research find application in the bioremediation of polluted areas and in sustainable agriculture and forestry.
The research group on Plant Interactions with Microorganisms in its current form started its activity at the Małopolska Biotechnology Center in 2017.
Recently, we are trying to set the basis for understanding the mechanisms of fungi and bacteria dependent adaptation of Arabidospsis metalophytes to vegetation on a post minning waste dump. Our research is financed by National Science Center from two projects: OPUS14 "The role of endophytic fungi in the resistance of Arabidopsis arenosa on high content of toxic metals" and OPUS 17 "Mechanism of plant endophytic fungi interactions. The role of the endosymbiont in plant phosphorus metabolism".
The research concern the following issues:
1. The mechanism of endophyte activated root hair cell elongation, in particular the role of phytohormones: ethylene, auxin and strigolactone, in this process,
2. Symbiosis-induced changes in the uptake and distribution of nutrients and metals,
3. The role of microbiota in adapting plants to living in areas contaminated with heavy metals.
4. The role of strigolactone and ethylene in the determination of the nature of interaction (parasitism/mutualism) between the plant and fungi.
NEWS
Publication in PC&E
We are happy to announce that a paper entitled :Endophytic yeast protect plants against metal toxicity by inhibiting plant metal uptake through an ethylene-dependent mechanism.
Recruitment of PhD students to the doctoral school
Please be advised that the MCB / JCET / Solaris doctoral school started regular recruitment for doctoral studies in the academic year 2021/2022. For more information, please visit the website.
New team members
We are glad to announce that our team has grown by two new members. Dr Łukasz Szydłowski and mgr Maciej Gustab joind the OPUS 17 project "Mechanism of plant endophytic fungi interactions. The role of the endosymbiont in plant phosphorus metabolism." We are looking forward for the first successes. Welcome aboard!
TEAM
dr hab. Piotr Rozpądek
Team lider
Master’s degree in biology (specialization in cell biology) obtained from the Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków. PhD in biology (specialization in plant physiology) obtained from the International Doctoral Studies of Natural Sciences of the Polish Academy of Science in Krakow.
dr inż. Rafał Ważny
Scientific assistent
Received his Ph.D. in Forest Science at University of Agriculture in Kraków, where he specialized in pathogenic and ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with forest trees. Afterwards he worked at Forest Research Institute and at Institute of Environmental Sciences at Jagiellonian University.
dr inż. Roman Jędrzejczyk
Scientific assistent
A former participant of PhD studies within the Society – Technologies – Environment project at Jagiellonian University and PhD studies at Faculty of Chemistry (JU).
dr Agnieszka Domka
Scientific assistant
A graduate of the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University in the field of environmental biology.
mgr Maciej Gustab
PhD Student
A graduate from biological studies at the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University. He was involved in optimizing the regeneration conditions of plant species in in vitro cultures so far.
mgr Weronika Kosowicz
PhD Student
Student of Molecular Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University. So far, she has studied arsenic resistance mechanisms found in soil bacteria isolated from industrial areas.
mgr Magdalena Zyzik
PhD Student
A graduate of molecular biotechnology at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology. As part of her diploma thesis, she studied the molecular basis of plant-endophyte interactions on the plant root system.
dr Michał Nosek
A graduate of the Faculty of Geography and Biology of the Pedagogical Academy in Krakow. He specializes in plant physiology, with particular emphasis on interactions with abiotic and biotic stress factors.
Konstancja Gałat
Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology at FBBB UJ. She is currently working on the topic of long non-coding RNAs in Arabidobsis thaliana.
Maksym Marmuliak
Currently he is undergoing apprenticeship in our lab. He is a student at FBBB JU. He studies the mechanisms of dyes production by yeast.
