Opening remarks: TSL Symposium — Plant resistance to pathogens in the face of climate change
These are my opening remarks for the symposium held on November 4th, 2024, in Norwich. This event marks the launch of the strategic partnership between The Sainsbury Laboratory and the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Our collaboration aims to advance climate-resilient plant immunity research by uniting our expertise in plant-pathogen interactions specific to desert and dryland plants.
I am deeply honored to serve as the Khalifa Center Group Leader at The Sainsbury Laboratory. We are embracing a fresh vision aimed at redefining collaboration between our regions, striving for equal partnership and mutual benefits that contribute to the betterment of humanity.
These are exhilarating times both for the science of plant pathology and for our institutions. Our science, plant pathology, has become truly integrative, moving beyond a narrow focus on genetics to incorporate a comprehensive blend of disciplines, combining approaches that range from evolutionary biology to biochemistry and structural biology. From its original establishment by David Sainsbury, TSL has been at the forefront of this multifaceted perspective on plant pathology and plant immunity, leading the way in holistic scientific inquiry.
The KC, established just a decade ago, has already made significant strides in the field of plant genomics and biotechnology, particularly focusing on dryland plants. Professor Khaled Amiri has spearheaded an ambitious program for the Center. I am proud to join him and our colleagues on this dynamic journey of science and collaboration.
The focus of our new research program, Xerophyte Immunity (XI), is incredibly timely. It aims to fill crucial gaps in our understanding of the innate immunity of desert and dryland plants, exploring the unique adaptations these plants have evolved to combat pathogens and pests. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, severely impacted by climate change, provides a critical context for our work. As someone originally from the region, I am particularly driven to apply cutting-edge technologies to advance our understanding of xerophyte immunity and to explore how these insights can enhance crop resilience in extreme environments and future climate scenarios.
Our scientific program aligns with the ethos of TSL, where progress is deeply rooted in fundamental knowledge and curiosity-driven research. We anticipate that practical applications will emerge from the basic knowledge we generate, as evidenced by our lab’s history, where many applications have sprung from fundamental mechanistic and evolutionary insights into plant pathogens and immune systems.
The program we have assembled for XI addresses a significant knowledge gap: How does the immune system in desert and arid land plants function? These plants, with their unique adaptations like loss of leaves and reduced transpiration, present a fascinating system to study. We plan to use comparative and evolutionary biology approaches to explore how these plants have evolved to cope with environmental challenges similar to those our current crops face.
Today’s Symposium features an eclectic program with speakers from across the globe, including the USA, Canada, UAE, South Africa, and Poland. The discussions will span mechanistic studies on pathogens and hosts, alongside explorations into the largely uncharted biodiversity of desert plants. By the end of the day, we hope to connect some of these disparate dots and perhaps launch new collaborations.
As I take on the role of KC Group Leader at TSL, my goal extends beyond developing XI into a robust research program. I aim to inspire my colleagues, forge substantial links between our institutions, and expand our collaborative network globally.
How will we measure success? Simply put: by changing our approach. If, in five years, we find ourselves conducting the same type of research and maintaining the same level of interactions, then we will not have succeeded. True progress will be marked by our ability to step out of our comfort zones and embrace innovative, unconventional methods. That is my vision for our future at TSL and for the Partnership with the Khalifa Center.
Press release
New Partnership with the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, and the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology announce a strategic partnership to advance climate-resilient plant immunity research by uniting expertise in plant-pathogen interactions of desert and dryland plants.
From left to right: Prof. Nick Talbot, Prof. Khaled Amiri and Prof. Sophien Kamoun
Source: Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), United Kingdom, and the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB), United Arab Emirates (UAE), are delighted to announce their new strategic partnership aimed at advancing research in climate-resilient plant immunity and biotechnology.
This collaboration combines TSL’s world-leading expertise in plant-pathogen interactions with the Khalifa Center’s extensive research into desert plants, creating a unique opportunity to develop innovative solutions for enhancing crop resilience in the face of climate change.
The program will see an investment of £5 million from the Khalifa Center to foster research and collaboration on the topic. The partnership also includes scholarships for UAE University students to join TSL’s MSc in Global Plant Health. This will empower the next generation of international scientists with critical skills and knowledge in plant health, an area of growing importance in global food security.
Prof. Sophien Kamoun will take on the role of Khalifa Center’s Group Leader at TSL and set up a dedicated research program, named ‘XI’, to spearhead joint research initiatives focused on plant-pathogen interactions and crop improvement.
The XI — Xerophyte Immunity — research program will explore novel aspects of plant immunity, with a particular emphasis on xerophytes — plants adapted to desert environments — and the microbes and pathogens associated with them.
Prof. Kamoun, Khalifa Center Group Leader at The Sainsbury Laboratory, says, “XI will address critical gaps in our understanding of the innate immunity of desert and dryland plants, exploring the unique adaptive features these plants have evolved to combat pathogens and pests. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is particularly affected by climate change, and as someone who originates from the region, I’m deeply motivated to apply cutting-edge technologies to advance our knowledge of xerophyte immunity and explore how this knowledge can be leveraged to enhance crop resilience in extreme environments.”
Prof. Nick Talbot, Executive Director of The Sainsbury Laboratory, says “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Khalifa Center to address the pressing challenges of climate change and plant health. We have devised a radically novel vision for international scientific collaboration to address a major global challenge. This partnership marks the start of an international effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change through groundbreaking research and innovation in plant biotechnology.”
Prof. Khaled Amiri, Director of the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, says, “KCGEB’s vision is to pioneer advanced research in desert plant genomics to generate vital scientific knowledge for climate-resilient agriculture. We are committed to innovation and greatly value our collaboration, which enables us to develop genome-based solutions that enhance plant immunity in extreme environments. Together, we are addressing urgent agricultural challenges while laying the foundation for a sustainable, resilient future in the face of climate change.”
The Khalifa Center-TSL partnership will also facilitate a wide range of collaborative activities, including the exchange of knowledge and expertise, joint research projects, and a series of workshops and training programs, paving the way for future projects that will enhance global food security and climate resilience.
About the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
The Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB) was established in 2014 by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, with the vision of developing into a global leader in genetic engineering and biotechnology research. Research at the KCGEB is focused on exploring flora of the arid region to generate scientific knowledge to address the global challenges in the food security and sustainable agriculture practice through genomics, genetic engineering and biotechnological innovations.
