Plant Receptor Kinases: From Molecules to Environment (B3)

Plants are under constant pressure to respond rapidly and accurately to changing environmental and developmental conditions. They need to rapidly translate extracellular signals into appropriate intracellular responses. Cell surface receptor kinases (RKs) are one of the major components in this extracellular sensing. Plants show a huge expansion of the RK family compared to animals. However, only a very limited number of plant RKs have an assigned function, but those characterized control critical aspects ranging from development to responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The proposed meeting will highlight recent developments in our understanding of RKs, from their evolution, the pathways they are involved in to the molecular details underlying their function (e.g. post-translational modifications, structure, cell biology). The processes controlled by RKs include gas exchange (via control of stomatal development and patterning), innate immunity, establishment of beneficial symbioses, and control of intrinsic growth/yield. Thus, there are many direct implications for plant performance in the field and at the ecosystem level. We therefore anticipate that the meeting will be of broad interest to scientists in academia, government and the private sector. The potential invited speakers are world-leaders in their respective areas, and by sharing latest research findings and new experimental approaches/methods, will facilitate advances in other areas as well. We anticipate that new collaborations will result that will move this exciting field forward.