The Idea

We are on a mission to transform our understanding of how plants sense and respond to water.

The HYDROSENSING Synergy Project, backed by the ERC, is on the cutting edge of this research. Our team has discovered that plants respond to water stress through a key signaling molecule: abscisic acid (ABA). When plants face drought or limited water, ABA is released from the phloem companion cells in both roots and shoots, initiating survival responses like reduced branching in roots and closed stomata in leaves. By pinpointing how ABA moves and acts within plants, we aim to unlock the secrets of how plants perceive and adapt to changing water conditions.

Recent breakthroughs in our team have identified the specific cell types and proteins involved in this water-sensing process. Phloem companion cells (PCCs) are central to releasing ABA under water stress. Meanwhile, receptors like THESEUS1 (THE1) and transporters (NPFs and MATEs) work together to regulate ABA levels and activity. We hypothesize that water stress causes changes in the plant cell wall and plasma membrane, triggering ABA-related responses through specialized receptors and transporters.

Solving this puzzle demands a unique, interdisciplinary approach. Our global team, uniting experts from institutions like TAU, NTNU, UR, and UNOTT, brings together genomics, structural biology, biophysics, and advanced imaging techniques to explore water sensing from the nano to the macro scale.

The HYDROSENSING project goes beyond advancing scientific knowledge. By developing innovative tools, such as multi-target CRISPR gene editing and real-time hydrodynamic imaging, we’re setting the stage for transformative applications in agriculture. These tools will help scientists and breeders alike tackle the challenges of a water-stressed world, enhancing crop resilience and paving the way for a sustainable future.