Plant transportomics

Transport of metabolites across cellular borders is essential for plant fitness and survival, and has proven important in controlling key quality traits in agriculture. Yet, the function of thousands of transporters is largely unknown. We will create a first-of-its-kind transportomics database and determine the function of the transporters in the model plant thale cress using plant extracts as substrates. This has potential to revolutionize our understanding of transporter function in plants.

We will decode the chemical language of plants by mapping the metabolites exuded and the transporters present at the root and leaf epidermis during stress conditions when intense communication occurs. The knowledge gained and molecular tools generated will have application in sustainable agriculture.