Understanding how plants sense and respond to drought stress
Official title: Osmotic Stress Sensing and Signal Transduction in Arabidopsis
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11091464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a small plant called Arabidopsis senses and reacts to drought conditions by tracking changes in calcium levels in its cells, helping us understand how it produces a hormone that helps it survive when it's dry.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $395,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153381-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include agricultural scientists, farmers, and stakeholders in food production who are affected by drought conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in agricultural science or those not involved in food production may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the plant Arabidopsis detects and responds to hyperosmotic stress, which is a condition that can occur during drought. By studying the rapid changes in calcium levels within the plant cells, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that trigger stress responses and the production of a hormone called abscisic acid, which helps plants cope with dehydration. The study utilizes genetic screening and innovative techniques to identify key components involved in this signaling process, providing insights that could improve plant resilience to drought conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced agricultural practices that improve crop resilience to drought, ultimately benefiting food security.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding plant stress responses, making this approach a continuation of established scientific inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schroeder, Julian I — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Schroeder, Julian I
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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.