Exploring how plant glutamate receptors help plants communicate and adapt.
Official title: Merging Signaling with Structure: Functions and Mechanisms of Plant Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels, and their implications for the evolution of aminoacid based ion-signaling systems
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11051831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how plants use special receptors to send signals between their cells, helping them adapt to tough conditions like being eaten by insects or dealing with extreme temperatures, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how plants communicate and survive in their environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $348,581 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM152091-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include agricultural scientists, plant biologists, and farmers interested in crop resilience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest or involvement in plant biology or agriculture may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique ways plants use glutamate receptors to communicate between their cells, despite lacking a nervous system. By studying these receptors, which generate electrical and calcium signals, the research aims to understand their roles in plant adaptation to environmental challenges such as herbivory and extreme temperatures. The project employs advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the structure and function of these receptors, providing insights into their evolutionary significance and physiological roles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of plant resilience and adaptation, potentially leading to improved agricultural practices.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding ion signaling in plants, but this specific approach to glutamate receptors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feijo, Jose a — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Feijo, Jose a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.