Summary
This project aims to establish a novel strategy for enhancing microbial functions using Heat Shock Metabolites (HSMs) without relying on genetic modification.
In plant evolution, "pollinator shifts"—the transition of pollen-mediating animals—frequently occur, driving plant speciation by reshaping pollination networks. This study investigates how plants alter their chemical signals to adapt to new pollinators during these shifts. Focusing on a comparative system of sister species diverged from a common ancestor, this project aims to elucidate the complex mechanisms of pollinator shifts shaped by both floral color (pigments) and scent (volatile organic compounds) at the molecular and chemical levels.
First, this study analyzes the profiles of pigments and volatile organic compounds that constitute floral color and scent to characterize species-specific chemical phenotypes. The behavioral responses of pollinators (insects and birds) to these signals will be evaluated, narrowing down the specific compounds that potentially drive pollinator shifts. Furthermore, for the target compounds, transcriptome analysis will be employed to identify biosynthetic genes, followed by functional characterization through heterologous expression.
Members
Principal Investigator