We are looking for post-doc for two years for a study on the interactions between flowering plants and microorganisms. Here is a short description of the research:
Traditionally, pollination and herbivory have been treated as separate ecological events in which plants and animals interact. Until recently secondary compounds, many of which are feeding deterrents, were mostly considered to play a major role in the coevolution of plants and their herbivores. However, the fact that many plant species contain secondary compounds in their nectar raises the question of what role these substances play in the mutual interactions with their pollinators. Nectar is a reward produced to attract pollinators. However, traits that attract pollinators may also attract other organisms, such as microbes and nectar robbers, which are likely to decrease plant fitness. Plants thus face an evolutionary dilemma: how to make their nectar attractive to legitimate pollinators but unattractive to detrimental consumers. Secondary compounds in nectar might offer a novel solution to this evolutionary dilemma, mediating interactions between plants and the disparate array of nectarivores. Several “adaptive hypotheses” have been proposed to explain the potential functions of secondary compounds in floral nectar, suggesting to view them as conferring fitness benefits to the plant. To date, most of these hypotheses have been overlooked and not experimentally tested.
In the research project proposed here we aim to investigate the role of plant secondary metabolites in mediating the complex association between microorganisms and plants’ floral nectar. To that end, we plan (1) to test several predictions on nectar’s secondary metabolites and microorganisms relationships, and (2) to explore the “probiotic hypothesis” that states that secondary compounds prevent microbial degradation of nectar. No studies have rigorously quantified the effect of nectar secondary metabolites on nectar microorganisms and subsequent plant-microb-pollinator interactions on plant fitness.
To examine these predictions we will study and compare nectar and leaves microflora community and nectar chemical profile (primary and secondary metabolites) of six plant species so as to identify nectar and species specific microflora and secondary metabolites. We also propose to test the effect of nectar microflora on the nectar chemical composition. Finally we plan to evaluate the effect of the nectar microflora on foraging behavior of nectar consumers and plant fitness parameters. Our methodology will include modern and sophisticated techniques such as DGGE, GC-MS, HPLC (-MS), Amino Acid Analyzer and axenic and transgenic plants techniques.
We expect the use of such tools, together with the multidisciplinary approach adopted, to yield significant new insight into the role of secondary compounds in a complex microorganism-pollination system.
Applications are welcomed from high motivated candidates with clearly demonstrated experience and skills in chemical & microbial ecology.
Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the
position is filled. The starting date is October 1st.
To apply, send (1) CV, (2) copies of recent publications (3 maximum),
(3) a statement of research interests, (4) letters of reference from
three individuals by e-mail or regular mail.
Please contact:
Prof. Ido Izhaki
Dept. of Biology
University of Haifa
Haifa 31905
Israel
E-mail: izhaki@research.haifa.ac.il
