Department of Plant Metal Homeostasis

Research topics

Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are micronutrients essential for the proper growth and development of plants. Both their deficiency and excessive concentrations in the substrate can negatively affect plant development. It is known that the presence of non-essential (toxic) metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), or mercury (Hg) influences the uptake of these micronutrients from the environment.

Two key processes underlie this relationship:
– Transmembrane transport of non-essential metals occurs via proteins that also transport macro- and/or micronutrients (mainly Zn, Fe, and Ca).
– Molecular and biochemical pathways regulating plant responses to the presence of metals (both non-essential and micronutrients) share many common elements — a phenomenon referred to as cross-homeostasis.

Despite advances in knowledge, the mechanisms responsible for controlling the uptake of nutrients and non-essential metals from the soil, as well as their distribution within plant organs and tissues, remain poorly understood. To better understand these relationships, it is necessary to conduct broad studies of processes occurring both in roots and in shoots. Understanding the mechanisms shaping root system architecture — resulting from its interaction with the soil environment — and the ways micronutrients are distributed within the shoot will be key to selecting and modifying new plant varieties with greater growth potential and optimal mineral composition.

Research projects

Zn distribution mechanisms between lateral roots of the same root system grown with uneven Zn access, 2024–2028, NCN OPUS (2023/51/B/NZ9/02518), PI: Oskar Siemianowski

Study of mechanisms modifying tobacco root growth direction in response to heterogeneous distributions of Zn and Fe in the environment, 2021–2026, NCN SONATA (2020/39/D/NZ9/02393), PI: Oskar Siemianowski

Mechanisms of zinc redistribution from roots to shoots at zinc deficiency, 2020–2026, NCN OPUS (2019/35/B/NZ9/04338), PI: Dr. hab. Anna Barabasz

Diploma theses completed at the Department

Bachelor’s theses

Cadmium – a problem of the modern world – Kamila Panuś

Analysis of transgenic tobacco plants expressing the RNAi-NtZIP4 construct – Gabriela Pavlova

Analysis of DsRed reporter gene expression under the control of NtZIP4B and NtZIP5B promoters – Magdalena Pypka

Analysis of HMA1 expression in tobacco under metal deficiency conditions – Justyna Walicka

Master’s theses

Regulation of expression of genes encoding Zn transporters in a root system growing under heterogeneous Zn availability – Diana Davydenko

The role of ZIP genes in Zn redistribution in Nicotiana tabacum – Magdalena Pypka

Preliminary analysis of NtZIP8end-eGFP construct expression in transgenic tobacco plants – Gabriela Pavlova

Analysis of tissue-specific activity of the pZIP5C promoter in Nicotiana tabacum under Zn deficiency using the GUS reporter system – Justyna Wronka

Doctoral theses

The role of NtZIP11 and NtNramp3 in Zn accumulation in tobacco leaves – MSc Katarzyna Kozak

The role of NtZIP5 in regulating Zn and Cd translocation from root to shoot in Nicotiana tabacum – MSc Małgorzata Palusińska