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.