CSB Seminar Series – Devrim Coskun, PhD – Université Laval
November 29 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
CSB Departmental Seminar
Devrim Coskun, PhD
Département de Phytologie, Faculté des Sciences de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation (FSAA)
Université Laval
TITLE: Of nutrients and toxicants: Plant root membrane transport in a time of major flux
ABSTRACT: We are living through turbulent times. Chief among the myriad global challenges we face is sustainably feeding an estimated 9.5 billion people by mid-century while simultaneously combating (and mitigating) a host of environmental issues which modern agriculture, itself, has contributed to (e.g., the rises in pollution, soil erosion, pests, disease, drought, and salinity stress). Using a range of experimental techniques, both classical (e.g., radioisotopic flux analysis and electrophysiology) and modern (e.g., heterologous expression systems and fiber-optic photometry), my research aims to address this challenge by investigating the underlying molecular, cellular, and physiological transport mechanisms of mineral nutrient and toxicant acquisition in the roots of the world’s foremost crops. I will discuss my work on plant silicon (Si) transport and Si-derived resilience against a wide range of environmental stressors, both biotic and abiotic, and how we can effectively exploit this elusive but beneficial nutrient to mitigate crop stress and reduce our reliance on pesticides and fungicides. I will also discuss my work on root ammonium (NH3/NH4+) transport, particularly in the contexts of ammonium toxicity and reducing the prodigious waste and environmental damage caused by N fertilization. Lastly, I will discuss my aims to elucidate the nature of primary sodium (Na+) uptake under conditions of salinity stress, and what low-affinity potassium (K+) transport can reveal about this process.
HOST: Eiji Nambara
LOCATION: Cell and Systems Biology, 25 Harbord Street, Suite 432
LIVE STREAM LINK: https://csb.utoronto.ca/live-stream/
Details
- Date:
- November 29
- Time:
-
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Event Category:
- CSB Seminar