PRE2023-Programming the spatiotemporal patterns of an autonomous bioluminescence pathway in plants in response to endogenous and external inputs (PID2022-141438OB-I00)

Plants are called to play a central role in a sustainable bioeconomy. A strategy to maximize their contribution is to equip them with genetically augmented capacities, so that they can work as e.g., environmentally friendly biofactories, or as self-sustained biosensors for pathogens or environmental threats. To create such new functions, we need to control gene expression robustly using synthetic gene circuits. In this PhD project, we propose to advance in the understanding of the design rules for synthetic gene circuits in plants using a bioluminescent pathway derived from the fungus Neonothopanus nambi, which, when transferred genetically to plants, provides autonomous light emission levels detectable with the naked eye. During his/her thesis, the successful candidate will be involved in the development of two autobioluminescent plant prototypes, each one operating a different challenging control circuit: (i) plants that glow when detecting an infection, and (ii) plants whose light emission can alternate between ON and OFF status by spraying two different chemicals. These circuits have been carefully selected to serve as prototypes with immediate applications: the design of plant sentinels remotely informing of biotic threats, and the control of production in high-capacity biofactories.