New alternatives to chemical pesticides: deciphering the action mechanisms of lipid based plant elicitors via complementary biophysical and biological approaches.

Nowadays, many health and environmental problems are caused by the use of chemical pesticides. In this context, an increasing demand for alternative products such as biopesticides has been observed. Among biopesticides, elicitor molecules which are able to trigger immune defense responses in plants are one of the most promising options. Although numerous elicitors have been discovered, the mechanisms involved in the perception, by plants, of only a few molecules have been identified. These elicitors usually interact with proteic receptors but we have recently shown that they may also act on the lipid phase of the plasma membrane. This project first aims to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the recognition of specific lipid based elicitors (LBE). On that basis, the FIELD project will contribute to the design and the development of innovative compounds derived natural LBE. A multi-disciplinary approach, based on chemistry, bio-physics, bio-chemistry, and phytopathology will be followed by a consortium of different research groups from Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech in close collaboration with teams from foreign institutions.