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Plant Cell Physiology

Our laboratory is engaged in research to uncover the mechanisms and physiological significance of the cell-specific nutrient storage seen within higher plants. We use a combination of physiological and molecular tools to this end and conduct a range of single cell-based biochemical, (electro-) physiological and molecular assays. We are located within newly refurbished laboratories at the Plant Research Centre on the Waite Campus following Professor Roger Leigh’s (group leader) appointment as Head of the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. Professor Leigh recently moved from his position as Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge during October 2006.

• Background
• Facilities & Techniques
• Current Members
• Recent Papers

Background

Plants often take up nutrients in excess of their immediate needs and store the extra in cell vacuoles. There is good evidence that the nutrient storage pools in different leaf cell-types are compositionally distinct¹. For instance, phosphate and Ca appear to never co-localise in the same cell whereas magnesium, potassium, chloride and nitrate may share similar cellular locations but can be at very different concentrations in different cells.

We have recently conducted a survey of leaves from 30 phylogenetically distinct species and discovered two “evolutionary conserved” patterns of cell-specific Ca distribution. In grasses, vacuolar Ca is present at high concentrations in epidermal cells but undetectable in mesophyll cells. In contrast, in many eudicot species Ca is at a high concentration in the palisade and spongy mesophyll cells but undetectable in epidermal cells². At present, the mechanisms behind these patterns in Ca distribution, and their physiological significance, are unclear. Such knowledge may be fundamental to our understanding of how plants function and should ultimately allow the nutritional enhancement of crop plants (and consequently fortification of animal and human diets) without adversely affecting crop plant physiology. We are currently funded by the ARC to investigate these calcium distributions under the Discovery scheme.

We have collaborations with international colleagues: Drs Jim Haseloff, Julian Hibberd and Alex Webb at the University of Cambridge, UK & Kendal Hirschi, Baylor College of Medicine, USA. Nationally we collaborate closely with Dr Kaiser, Professors Tester and Tyerman at the University of Adelaide.

Facilities & Techniques

At the Plant Research Centre we are fortunate in having a wide range of sophisticated molecular and electrophysiological tools and equipment for the investigation of ion transport processes and proteins. We also have access to the world-class imaging facilities through our collaborators at Adelaide Microscopy. Core techniques include single-cell sampling (SiCSA)^3,4, X-ray microanalysis², ICP analysis, q-RT-PCR, gene misexpression techniques such as over-expression and miRNA, the use of T-DNA knockout plants and the GAL4-GFP enhancer trap system⁵. We also have access to, and use ion-selective electrodes, microelectrode ion flux estimation (MIFE), two-electrode voltage clamp, radioactive trace-flux measurement and heterologous expression in yeast and Xenopus oocytes. We are also the home of the AIB Labs Membrane Transporter Expression Facility (an AIB Labs facility supported by Bio Innovation SA and The ARC).

1. Karley AJ, Leigh RA and Sanders D (2000) TIPS 5: 465-470
2. Storey R and Leigh R A (2004) Plant Physiol. 136: 3838-3848
3. Tomas AD and Leigh RA (1999) Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 50: 447-472
4. Laval et al. (2002) Planta 255: 287-292
5. Johnson AAT et al. (2005) Plant J. 41: 779-789

Current Members

Adelaide

Professor Roger Leigh Head of Laboratory	Dr Matthew Gilliham Senior Research Fellow	Dr Simon Conn Postdoctoral Research Fellow	Sam Henderson Research Assistant	Maclin Dayod PhD Student Ca accumulation and water flow (with Steve Tyerman)

 

Brad Hocking Masters Student Transient expression of transporters in protoplasts

Recent Members

Recent Members (Cambridge)

Irina Abakumova, Dr Pauline Essah, Dr Nerissa Hannink, Dr Mia Jakobsen, Dr Gehan Safwat, Matt Stancombe

Positions Available

PhD Scholarships (Currently Available)

Two PhD scholarships are available to investigate the mechanism and physiological significance of cell-specific nutrient accumulation within the leaves of higher plants. The research will involve a range of single cell-based biochemical and molecular assays, as well as the construction and physiological analysis of specific plant mutants (see background above).

Scholarship applicants should have: a good BSc (Hons) degree in molecular biology, plant physiology or a related biological science; a demonstrated ability to work independently, and as part of a team; good communication skills and Australian or NZ citizenship or Australian permanent residency. The scholarships are available immediately for a minimum of three years and carry a living allowance of $27 500 per annum (tax free), in addition to project funding and travel.

International applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarships, see http://www.international.adelaide.edu.au/scholarships/ for details (note deadline 31st August 2008) or seek additional funding sources.

Informal applications from students who wish to study for a PhD in the Plant Cell Physiology Lab are also always welcome. There are many sources of funding for both Australian and International students (see http://www.agwine.adelaide.edu.au/scholarships/ or http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/

Honours projects (Currently Available)

Different Honours projects are available in 2008-9 (see Honours Projects for further details), or contact Dr Matthew Gilliham. If you have your own ideas related to our research please contact us to discuss opportunities.

Internships

Short-term projects are always open to both Australian and International students. Please contact Dr Matthew Gilliham to discuss projects and funding opportunities that are currently available.

Recent Papers

• Tracy F, Gilliham M, et al (2008) Plant Cell Environment, 31:1063-1073.
• Roy SJ, Gilliham M, et al (2008) Plant Cell Environment, 31:861-871. 
• Gilliham M (2007) Membrane structure and methods for studying membrane transport. In, Plant Solute Transport. Eds. A.R. Yeo. & T. J. Flowers, Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
• Harada H & Leigh RA (2006) Journal of Experimental Botany, 57: 953-960.
• Gilliham M, Sullivan W et al. (2006) Plant Journal, 46:134-144.
• Gilliham M et al. (2006) The Arabidopsis thaliana glutamate-like receptors (AtGLR). In, Communication in Plants: Neuronal Aspects of Plant Life. Eds. Baluška, F., Mancuso, S., Volkmann, D. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany. pp. 187-204.
  
• Gilliham M & Tester M (2005) Plant Physiology, 137: 819-828.
• Storey R & Leigh RA (2004) Plant Physiology, 136: 3838-3848.
• Harada H et al. (2004) Journal of Experimental Botany, 55: 2005-2014.
• Roy SJ, Cuin TA & Leigh RA (2003) Plant Journal, 34: 555-564.
• Cuin TA, Miller AJ et al. (2003) Journal of Experimental Botany, 54: 657-661.
• Laurie S, Feenay KA et al. (2002) Plant Journal, 32: 139-149.
• Tester M & Leigh RA (2001) Journal of Experimental Botany, 52: 356-356.
• Leigh RA (2001) Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science- Zeitschrift fur Pflanzenernahrung und Bodenkunde, 164: 193-198.
• Karley AJ, Leigh RA & Sanders D (2000) Plant Physiology, 122: 835-844.
• Kiegle E, Gilliham M et al. (2000) Plant Journal, 21: 225-229.
• Tomos AD & Leigh RA (1999) Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, 50: 447-472.
  

For information about studying in this field please visit our Student Services page.