Exploring plant immune receptors to create new biotechnology tools
Official title: Immunodiversity of plant receptor kinase networks for synthetic circuit design
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10890041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how plants defend themselves against germs by looking at special proteins that help them recognize different invaders, and the findings could help create new tools for biotechnology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $379,038 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151272-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals or organizations involved in agricultural biotechnology or those interested in plant-based pathogen detection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in agricultural biotechnology or those seeking direct medical applications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how plant immune systems recognize various pathogens through specialized receptors. By analyzing the vast diversity of receptor kinases in plants, the project aims to identify how these receptors interact with different ligands, which are molecules that bind to them. The researchers will use advanced techniques, including phylogenomic analysis and peptide libraries, to understand the specific binding mechanisms of these receptors. This knowledge could lead to the development of innovative protein-based sensors for various applications in biotechnology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the creation of advanced tools for detecting pathogens, benefiting agriculture and biotechnology industries.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in utilizing plant receptor diversity for biotechnology applications, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steinbrenner, Adam D — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Steinbrenner, Adam D
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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.