Sebastian Schornack
@dromius
Plant cells and development, Plant-microbe research, Phytophthora, oomycetes & symbiotic fungi, TAL effectors (TAL DNA binding code codiscoverer) and Coleoptera
A recurring signature: NLS+nucleic-acid-binding domains+activation domains. Hallmarks of transcription factors. It's not just symbionts. The same architecture appears in gall-inducing Pantoea effectors, proven DNA-binding transcriptional activators. (5/6)
Others may go post-transcriptional: a PPR-like RNA-recognition array paired with an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase fold including intact catalytic aspartate. A built-in small-RNA / gene-silencing machine? (4/6)
The most common SU1 matches a DNA-binding core domain-stacked up to 6× in Bel2-5. The BPN domain (SU2) is a structural mimic of the plant B3 fold-the DNA-binding domain of Auxin Response Factors. Rhizobia mimicking the host's own transcription factors. (3/6)
Some rhizobia inject effector proteins that can trigger nodules directly (ET-Nods). How? Nobody knew - the sequences are wildly divergent. AlphaFold2 models of all 33 Nop effectors showed they're modular, a toolkit of just 22 structural units that recombine like LEGO. (2/6)
Preprint! How do "friendly" rhizobia build a legume nodule? @albinteulet.bsky.social found that some may carry hidden transcription factors - proteins that mimic DNA-binding folds to enter the plant nucleus and rewrite its developmental program. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... (1/6)
Growing love - when a root meets a symbiotic #Mycorrhiza #fungus See what happens with MycorRhize3D. schornacklabslcu.github.io/MycorRhize3D/ Simulate a tap root in soil with spores. Roots turn red when colonised, just like in this paper journals.plos.org/plosbiology/... Reply for suggestions!
The 'heart' of the #Mycorrhiza #fungi #symbiosis is the arbuscule where plant and fungus exchange nutrients and carbon. Try the arbuscule growth simulator. Let me know how you adjust parameters to get the most beautiful arbuscules. schornacklabslcu.github.io/Arbuscule-Sim/
Defining the Xanthomonas euvesicatoria type II-secreted effector arsenal: core nutritional functions and effector diversity @ericksonlab.bsky.social @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social doi.org/10.64898/202...
Conserved symbiosis-associated genes in the cycad Encephalartos natalensis suggest co-option for cyanobacterial symbiosis nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
New Preprint! Engineering quantitative root disease resistance in barley by targeting conserved SCAR susceptibility genes without compromising seed yield or mycorrhizal symbiosis. This work has been led by @binebrumm.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
New Opinion with @iamjawaharsingh.bsky.social @oswaldovaldesl.bsky.social in @cp-trendsplantsci.bsky.social No Phosphate, less nitrogen fixing symbiosis and nodules, regardless of nitrogen status. PHR-L7 represses NIN in Common bean under phosphate starvation. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
LIN oppositely affects Phytophthora infection in Medicago. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Be part of OMGN! Open to all researchers with an interest in oomycetes, from molecular genetics & genomics to biology, population biology, and ecology, at either an experimental or a computational level. Investigators new to the field are always welcome oomycetes.com
Today’s seminar @slcuplants.bsky.social by @pdchristine.bsky.social is on the cell-to-cell communication upon biotic stress - a crucial aspect of plant multicellular life.
Plz RP. Come join us at @slcuplants.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk to study effector-targeted plant processes impacting plant cell biology and development. www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/post-do... www.schornacklab.net
#iMMM2025 is about to kick of in Munich, Bavaria (clearly), Germany - looking forward to 2.5 days filled with amazing molecular mycorrhiza research!
Summer poster presentations today @cropscicentre.bsky.social with lots of students from @slcuplants.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social and NIAB - from our team Dylan Rees, Victor Schroeder, Anna Flynn
Ly et al. 2025 - Plants, fungi, and antifungals: A little less talk, a little more action @plos.org journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
In poster hall not very far away - check out today how the resistance prevents or supports tao opposing factions in their constant pursuit for nutrients. SCAR Wars! - P070 #2025ISMPMI
#OMGN2025 Vivianne Vleeshouwers on potato resistance and Phytophthora diversity- and this slide of her work is part of my lectures - high throughput discovery of resistant germplasm/R gene loci
#OMGN2025 Max Pluis - How does Phytophthora make the cut? - and the role of Phytophthora cell processes such as mechanosensing
#OMGN2025 Patricia Manosalva ̶ Phytophthora cinnamomi populations affecting avocado in the U.S.A. exhibit large phenotypic variability and potential introductions from Mexico
#OMGN2025 Jeanne Miebach ̶ High throughput image analysis and quantification of aggregation of an aquatic Blastocladiomycotan fungus on its algal host: Paraphysoderma sedebokerense almost never attacks Haematococcus spp. alone - check out that lifecycle
#OMGN2025 Gizem Ünal is Optimizing dsRNA-Based Strategies for Controlling Downy Mildew in Pea
#OMGN2025 Wang Zhuoyue - Systematic Optimization of LAMP Assays for Kauri Dieback Diagnostics - because there is a Phytophthora (agathidicida) which kills these iconic trees