We have established six new ISRR working groups to boost activity and engagement in the root biology community.
If you are interested in becoming involved in a working group as an ISRR Early Career Ambassador please fill out the form here.
Working Group #1: Rhizosphere and Signalling
Will King, Uli Mathesius
The root microbiome has impressive control over the physiology and health of the plant host and can significantly impact host nutrient availability and crop yield. Root-microbe interactions are governed by an abundance of processes, including resource availability (e.g. exudates), host immunity, spatial (e.g. root morphology) and temporal (e.g. seasonal) patterns, and various abiotic and edaphic factors, making it difficult to understand the basic rules determining root-microbe relationships. Leveraging these host-microbe interactions in applied settings will require concentrated efforts of research, cross-continental collaborations, and thinking outside of the box. The rhizosphere and signalling working group was built ultimately to promote root microbiome and root-microbe signalling research and to offer potential solutions to improving plant/crop resilience in a changing world. We focus on both microbial control over the host and host control over the microbiome.
Objectives:
Establish a network of root microbiome academics, with an emphasis on ECRs
Develop a monthly seminar series
Produce a publishable output (i.e. perspective article)
Increase awareness of cutting-edge root microbiology research
Develop a platform to foster discussion and collaborations about root microbiology research
Activities:
Develop a semi-frequent seminar series showcasing cutting-edge root microbiology research
Assemble a team of academics to produce an Opinion article
Organise outreach events for improving the awareness of root biology and microbiology in the border community
Leverage social media - posts with bitesize information about new research and showcasing academics
Working Group #2 Phenotyping Method Development
Jon Atkinson, Amelia Henry
Content to follow
Working Group #3 Root Systems Biology
Amir Ahkami, Malcolm Bennett
Root systems biology is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex biological, chemical, and physical processes governing root growth, development, and functionality. Root systems biology integrates data and methodologies from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and phenomics ranging from single cell to organ scales. This multi-omics and multi-scale approach will provide a better understanding of how root molecular pathways and environmental signals interact to shape root architecture and functionality in the rhizosphere and broader ecosystem.
Objectives:
Identify emerging trends and critical challenges within the field of root biology and outline key research questions and priorities for future investigations
Pioneer the use of state-of-the-art techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to elucidate root function in changing environments.
Promote the development and application of novel spatial systems biology technologies for the analysis of root systems at cellular resolutions.
Facilitate omics data sharing and the creation of open-access platforms for root biology research.
Translate fundamental discoveries into practical solutions for agriculture, such as breeding crops with optimized root traits for enhanced productivity and sustainability including increased carbon storage in the soil.
Activities:
Foster multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, educators, and policymakers by organizing workshops, seminars, and training programs to build capacity and international networks in root systems biology.
Assemble a diverse team of authors and institutions to collaboratively craft and publish whitepapers and review articles.
Working Group #4 Root Modelling
Ivan Lopez Valdivia, Lixing Yuan
Content to follow
Working Group #5 Roots and Ecosystem Function
Molly Hanlon, Jianbo Shen
Content to follow
Working Group #6 Root Anatomy and Architecture,
Gwendolyn Kirschner, Doris Vetterlein
The Root Architecture and Anatomy working group is dedicated to fostering outreach, collaboration, and innovation, to understand the structural design and internal organization of root systems, including its branching patterns, root types, and tissue composition. As the primary organ for nutrient and water acquisition, roots, their anatomy and the intricate below-ground systems they form, are central for crop yield, plant-microorganism interactions, soil exploration and adaptation of plants to new environments. Therefore, our working group aims to highlight research in root architecture and anatomy, from uncovering the molecular mechanisms shaping roots, their role in plant growth across various soils, to the environmental impacts on root structure.
Objectives:
Outreach to fellow researchers, grad students and the wider public to make root architecture and anatomy more popular.
Outreach to senior scientists, fellow researchers, postgraduate students and anyone curious to learn more about root architecture and anatomy to encourage networking.
To foster international collaborations focused on root architecture and anatomy research.
To make education accessible and inclusive by offering workshops, preparing educational materials, and bringing researchers closer to the public through interviews and webinars.
Make different techniques and protocols more accessible for teaching purposes or to apply them to different research questions.
Activities:
Online seminars, inviting early career and senior researchers to present their research
Contribution to the society newsletter
Social media posts to outreach the public in general
Interviews with root researchers to inspire other researchers and foster possible new collaboration
Online workshops for undergraduate students & other members of society
Contribute to Plant Teaching Tools
