PhD Defence: Tonni Grube Andersen

Title of PhD Thesis

Novel molecular tools for crop development and synthesis of natural products
- Understanding glucosinolate based defenses in cruciferous plants

Summary

The presence of the defense compounds glucosinolates (gls) in Brassicales crops represents a two-edged sword. On one hand they lower the value of pressed rape seeds for animal fodder, on the other they are favorable for crop protection and human consumption. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, gls have been indicated to be synthesized by multi-enzymatic complexes - so called metabolons, and distributed in tissue-specific patterns through the vasculature. However the molecular mechanisms underlying organization of their biosynthesis as well as their long-distance transport remain unknown. The results presented in my thesis shine light on these issues and provide the agriculture with long sought handles that might enable optimization of natural defenses in crop plants. From an ecological perspective, understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling defense compound distribution and synthesis in plants further provide new research tools that increase our knowledge on how plants interact with and adapt to their natural surroundings.

Supervisors

Professor Barbara Ann Halkier
Associate Professor Meike Burow

Assessment Committee

Associate Professor Niko Geldner, University of Lausanne, CH
Professor Harro Bouwmeester, Wageningen University, NL
Professor Michael Broberg Palmgren, University of Copenhagen (Chair)

Reception

The defence will be followed by a reception in room M117, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1st floor, 1871 Frederiksberg

Everybody is welcome!