Abstract:
Strigolactones (SLs) are a group of phytohormones that regulate various aspects of plant growth and development, but can also trigger the germination of parasitic plants such as Striga hermonthica. Striga attaches itself to the root of the plant and syphons its nutrients causing severe crop damage. SLs are perceived by the D14/HTL receptors that associate through an adaptor protein to an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to target specific gene repressors for ubiquitination. The mechanistic link between SL perception by D14/HTL and substrate recognition by the E3 remains unclear. For my doctoral research, I studied the SL induced signalling complex using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and biochemical methods. This project generated the first structure of an E3–HTL–substrate complex leading to valuable findings which advance our understanding of how E3 ligases in plants translate hormone perception into genetic adaptations.

Bio:
Alex is a PhD candidate in Bioscience specialising in structural biology under the supervision of Prof. Stefan Arold. Her research focuses on characterising plant signalling complexes using cryo-electron microscopy and biochemical methods. Prior to her PhD, she obtained an MS in Bioscience from KAUST, after completing her BS in (Bio)Chemical Engineering from the Babes-Bolyai University in Romania.