Plant Immunity Research Group

Through understanding plant immunity mechanisms develop strategies for sustainable crop protection

Group Director

Ken Shirasu Ph.D.

1993: Ph.D., University of California, Davis, USA
1993: Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute / Noble Foundation, USA
1996: Research Scientist, Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre, UK
2000: Group Leader, Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre, UK
2006: Group Director, Plant Immunity Research Group, RIKEN Plant Science Center
2008: Adjunct Professor, University of Tokyo
2013: Group Director, Plant Immunity Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (-current)
2020: Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (-Current)

Main Research Fields :	Biology
Related Research Fields :	Agricultural Sciences
Keywords :	Plant Immunity / Plant-Microbe Interactions / Genomics / Plant Chemical Biology / Signal Transduction
Strategic Program :	Symbiosis and Environment

Outline

Our group’s goal is to fully describe functions of genes, proteins and small molecular compounds that are essential for immunity in plants. We focus on the identification of plant immune receptors and elucidation of its function in recognition of various pathogens. In addition, we study virulence mechanisms of pathogens, by utilizing their genome analyses. We also aim to understand microbiomes that enhance plant resistance to pathogens.

Subjects

To understand mechanisms for plant immunity
To identify small molecules to regulate plant immunity and characterize their targets
To isolate novel genes/metabolites for pathogen virulence
To identify useful microbes from rhizosphere to promote plant immunity and growth

Strawberry anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum fungi: Anthracnose disease in A. Strawberry Leaves, B. Strawberry, C. Strawberry leaves by microscope

Molecular Biology of parasitic plant Striga: The damage caused by the parasitic plant Striga is a serious problem in Africa. We initiated genomic studies of Striga.