The function of host species-specific root microbiota

Plants engage in intimiate relationships with microbial communities of vastly diverse taxonomic composition. These micro-organisms are important because they support the plant in nutrient acquisition, defense against pathogens, and abiotic stress resilience, while benefiting from the carbon and nitrogen compounds provided by their host. Because of these beneficial traits, microbiomes harbor great potential to serve as alternatives to environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and are therefore are of significant scientific, societal, and commercial interest.

There are several intriguing aspects about the plant root microbiota:

• every plant species has a different root-associated microbiome
• roots secrete chemical compounds that influence microbial life
• commensal bacterial communities display host preference towards the plant species from which they were originally isolated

Our goal is to understand the dynamics and mechanisms underlying the establishment plant species-specific root-associated bacterial microbiomes. 

We study why different plant species accommodate specific root-associated microbial communities. 

Group members

• Mingxiao Zhang (PhD candidate)
• Toine Massar (PhD candidate)

Previous:

• Michel Schulz (technician)
• Julian van Borkulo (BSc student)
• Ids Hartman (MSc student)
• Lola Bedmar Correa (MSc student)