Studying the evolution of plant-microbe hormone-mediated communication

Plants use a host of hormone molecules to orchestrate their development and successfully interrelate with the surrounding environment. Hormone production, sensing, and signaling cascades have evolved in different species over time, such is the case for central plant hormones like Auxins, Cytokinins and Gibberellins. Those hormones are not uniquely produced by plants, but also by microbes (i.e. bacteria and fungi) that are intimately associated with them in the wild. Thus, microorganisms can interfere with plant functions by releasing those hormones leading to symbiotic or pathogenic relations.

The main aim of this interdisciplinary workshop organized by Ignacio Rubio Somoza (CRAG, Spain) is to advance in our knowledge about to which extent and how microbe-derived plant hormones have conditioned the evolution of pathways that are devoted to their production and signaling in plants. To that end, PIs from international research groups with well- demonstrated expertise on plant microbiome characterization, high-throughput plant hormone profiling, computational chemistry, and biochemistry, gather at CRAG with those working on hormone perception and signaling in plants.

Attendance is free of charge upon registration. We are looking forward to meeting you all there!