Trichomes are epidermal hairs found in the aerial parts of most plant species. Among those, glandular trichomes are characterized by the presence of cells forming a gland at the tip of the trichome secreting or storing large quantities of secondary metabolites. Contrary to Arabidopsis thaliana, which contains only unicellular non-glandular trichomes whose development is quite well understood, our understanding of multicellular glandular trichome development is still fragmentary and probably occurs through partly different transcriptional regulatory networks.
In the laboratory of Pr. Charles Hachez, we aim to characterize their development by analyzing genes beyond a purely descriptive approach by providing an in depth understanding their mode of action by identifying their transcriptional targets, partner proteins, as well as the impact of their activity on the production of secondary metabolites in the plant.
This project takes part in the long term endeavor to unlock the vast unexploited potential of trichome secondary metabolites in the agronomical and pharmacological industries.
