Deploying Plant Glutamate Metabolism to Boost Immunity Against Phytopathogens:
from Fundamental Research to Practical Applications

by Dr. Soren Seifi, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph

LOCATION: Room 202, Crop Sci
DATE & TIME: Thursday, February 14, 2019 @ 11:00 AM

ABSTRACT

This presentation will review the research ‘story’ behind a novel plant defense activator which has been recently developed at our department and is currently undergoing the patenting process. The talk will have two main sections. In the first part, the fundamentals about the role of glutamtae metabolism in regulating plant defense mechanisms against pathogens will be explored. Glutamate metabolism plays a pivotal role in orchestrating several metabolic pathways with key functions in plant defense response to pathogens. In the second part, how this fundamental knowledge has been deployed and translated into practical applications will be further discussed.

Biography

Soren Seifi received his PhD in molecular plant pathology from Ghent University in Belgium. He moved to Canada in Nov. 2014 to join the lab of Dr. Barry Shelp as a postdoctoral researcher, where he studied the role of GABA/polyamine metabolisms in plant immunity to pathogens. He is currently studying wheat resistance response to fungal diseases at the lab of Dr. Alireza Navabi. His research interests are exploring plant defense mechanisms against economically important diseases, as well as eco-friendly plant defense activators and biostimulants.