Irute Meskiene Lab

Plants adapt their growth to the environment by sensing, transmitting and responding to stress signals. We are studying the molecular mechanisms that connect environmental stress factors to responses that consent to plant adaptation. We have found that PP2C-type phosphatases provide important switch off and feedback mechanisms to control stress-activated MAPKs (mitogen activated protein kinases). We are investigating further if and how PP2C phosphatases channel signalling pathways towards specific responses under biotic and abiotic stress conditions by screening gene expression patterns, stress-related phenotypes and their correlation to metabolite profiles. Using systems biology approaches and uncovering the regulation, localization, interaction and regulatory targets of PP2C controlled pathways we are aiming to realize mechanisms behind the phenotypic responses for stress adaptation that are controlled by PP2Cs.