Inaugural lecture by Rosa Lopez Marques

One of the main challenges of our current society is the transition to a more sustainable agriculture that can meet future food demands {UN Sustainable Development Goal {SDCi)2) in a sustainable manner (SDC12), while reducing the use of groundwater pollutants (SDC 6). The situation is complicated by the current climatic changes that result in extreme weather events and the expansion of pests and pathogens outside of the traditional geographic areas. Understanding how plants adapt to different environmental stresses and how this affects their production yield is key for the rational breeding of future crops.

Cell membranes are complex structures that isolate the cells from their environment effectively building the first line of defence against environmental stress. For effective functioning, cell membranes need to maintain very specific properties, such as impermeability and flexibility, that are affected by different biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst the myriad proteins involved in recovering membrane properties after environmental aggressions, a group of lipid transporters, named lipid flippases, seem to be key players orchestrating the coordination between lipid signalling, membrane trafficking, and lipid metabolism. The focus of my research is to understand the molecular mechanisms and the physiological functions of these lipid flippases, and to elucidate their interplay with other proteins involved in controlling cell membrane properties. My goal is the generation of new knowledge on plant stress adaptation that can result in the design of improved agricultural varieties, both for elite and future crops.

You are cordially invited to a reception hosted by the Department of Transport Biology following the lecture, which is open for all, but we kindly ask you to register for the reception prior to the event.

Reception from 15.00 in the adjoining CPSC Hall

Please register before 28 April 2025

E-mail to karin.kold@plen.ku.dk