In the basement of the Biology Building on the landlocked Indiana University Bloomington campus,two scientists are using small corals growing in a tank of salt water too fight antibiotic resistance,which causes an estimated 2.8 million treatment-resistant infections and 35,000 deaths in the U.S.every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“A bunch of the corals died last week, which is why we only have three today,” said Julia van Kessel,associate professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences,who set up the coral lab or “coral corral” with National Science Found

IU Researchers Explore Bacterial ‘Communication’ to Fight Infection

Indiana University researchers are diving into the microscopic world of bacterial communication in an effort to develop new ways to fight infection,potentially reducing reliance on antibiotics. The work is being spearheaded by IU Bloomington professor of biology Matthew van Kessel and his collaborator, teaching professor of Chemistry Laura Brown. The company, Quornix, was created in 2023 to bring innovative infection-fighting molecules to market through the study of “quorum sensing,” or the way bacteria communicate. they’re particularly interested in exploring quorum sensing in Vibrio, a marine pathogen that can kill coral and also fish, shrimp, oysters and even humans.

bacteria sense the presence of other bacteria by counting the small molecules they emit. When bacteria sense enough of these small molecules around them, they cause an infection. 

“Disease is a nutritional strategy; Vibrio are trying to get nutrients from cells they’re infecting,” van Kessel said. “If you were a bacterium and your goal was to cause disease, would you do it by yourself or wait until you had a bunch of friends around to help you? You wouldn’t want to do it alone, as that requires too much energy.”

van Kessel hypothesizes that by interrupting quorum sensing in bacteria, infection could be treated or prevented without the use of antibiotics. Using research conducted by Brown’s Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience course, van kessel and Brown experiment with chemical compounds that might inhibit Vibrio’s ability to talk to each other. If quorum sensing is successfully disrupted, the bacteria aren’t killed; they just think they’re alone and don’t turn on the genes that cause an infection.

Semester by semester, Brown’s students contribute compounds to test on Vibrio infections. Brown and van Kessel said they value the education that undergraduates get from researching real-world problems. 

“We’re teaching students how to do chemistry, how to do research, how to do biology, so we’re taking the slow approach,” van kessel said. “But by doing that, we’re getting a lot of value out of the basic scientific research. We’re asking critically important questions without necessarily knowing what the application will be. But that basic scientific inquiry is critically important as it sets the stage for major breakthroughs.”

While fighting disease in coral is slow-going, Quornix has made significant progress using quorum-sensing disruption in Vibrio that attack shrimp.

Quornix’s general manager is IU alumna Chelsea Simpson. Her passion for translational science comes out in her love for both the business and science sides of working for a biotech startup. In addition to managing the company’s day-to-day operations,she also serves as its principal investigator,conducting research on Vibrio infection in shrimp.

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Unlocking plant Defenses: How Indiana University Research is Revolutionizing Agriculture

Plants aren’t passive organisms. they possess elegant defense mechanisms against pests and pathogens, and understanding these systems is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural practices. Researchers at Indiana University are at the forefront of this field, making groundbreaking discoveries about how plants recognize threats and activate their immune responses. This research promises to reduce our reliance on synthetic pesticides and create more resilient crops.

The Plant Immune System: A Complex Network

For decades, the focus in plant pathology was on the aggressor – the fungus, bacterium, or insect. Now, the emphasis is shifting to the plant itself. Plants have evolved intricate immune systems that detect invading organisms and mount a defense. This immunity isn’t a single process, but a complex network of signaling pathways and biochemical reactions.

Pattern Recognition and Triggering Immunity

Plants recognize threats through specialized receptors that detect conserved molecular patterns associated with pathogens, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). When a PAMP is detected, it triggers a cascade of events leading to the activation of plant immunity. this initial response is broad-spectrum, protecting the plant against a wide range of potential invaders. Think of it as a plant’s first line of defense.

effector-Triggered Immunity: A More Specific Response

Pathogens,though,aren’t defenseless.They often secrete molecules called effectors that suppress plant immunity. Plants have evolved a counter-strategy: resistance (R) proteins. These proteins recognize specific effectors, triggering a more targeted and robust immune response known as effector-triggered immunity (ETI). This is a more specialized defense, akin to a custom-designed weapon against a specific enemy.

Indiana University’s pioneering Research

The Van Kessel Lab at Indiana University is deeply involved in unraveling the complexities of plant immunity, particularly focusing on the role of small molecules in plant-pathogen interactions. Their research has revealed key insights into how plants perceive and respond to fungal pathogens.

Focus on Fungal Pathogens

Fungal diseases pose a significant threat to global food security. The Van Kessel Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying plant resistance to fungal pathogens, with a particular emphasis on powdery mildews. They are identifying the genes and signaling pathways involved in recognizing and responding to these common plant diseases.

Identifying Novel Resistance Genes

A major goal of the research is to identify novel resistance genes that can be incorporated into crops to enhance their disease resistance. This involves a combination of genetic mapping, molecular biology, and biochemical analyses. By understanding the genetic basis of resistance, breeders can develop crops that are naturally protected against fungal infections.

Understanding Plant Metabolism in Defense

Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of plant metabolism in defense. Plants don’t just rely on pre-existing defense compounds; they actively synthesize new molecules to combat pathogens.The Van Kessel Lab is investigating how plant metabolic pathways are reprogrammed during infection and how these metabolic changes contribute to disease resistance.

The Future of Plant Immunity Research

The work at Indiana University, and similar research efforts worldwide, is paving the way for a new era of sustainable agriculture. by harnessing the power of plant immunity, we can reduce our dependence on synthetic pesticides, improve crop yields, and enhance food security.

Key takeaways:

• Plants possess sophisticated immune systems that detect and respond to pathogens.
• The plant immune system involves both broad-spectrum and targeted responses.
• Indiana University researchers are making significant contributions to our understanding of plant immunity, particularly in relation to fungal pathogens.
• Understanding plant metabolism is crucial for enhancing disease resistance.
• Harnessing plant immunity offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides.

FAQ

Q: What are PAMPs?

A: Pathogen-associated molecular patterns are conserved molecules found in pathogens that are recognized by plant receptors, triggering an immune response.

Q: What is ETI?

A: Effector-triggered immunity is a specific immune response activated when a plant recognizes effectors secreted by a pathogen.

Q: How can this research help farmers?

A: This research can lead to the growth of crops with enhanced disease resistance, reducing