Transcript Enhancing immunity by engineering DAMPs

PASTEUR INSTITUTE SEMINAR SERIES
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE
Giovedì 14 Gennaio, ore 15:00
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presso l'Aula Magna - Viale Regina Elena 295
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DEGLI EUCARIOTI
Prof. FELICE CERVONE
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Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie Charles Darwin
Enhancing immunity by engineering DAMPs
(damage-associated molecular patterns)
BIOL
Manipulation of the innate immunity of living organisms to render them more rapid or sensitive in
responding to microbial and environmental challenges is becoming a feasible strategy to combat
diseases. We have investigated the possibility of engineering in plants the controlled release of
DAMPs to enhance immune responses and confer resistance against several microbial pathogens.
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The concept of engineering DAMPs in plants
quite new and may potentially be applied to the
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animal field. However, like in animals, it appears that an exaggerated release of endogenous
danger signals leads to a deleterious hyper-immune
response. DAMPs not only induce plant
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defences but also negatively affect growth
and development and, if over-produced, induce cell
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death. A biochemical mechanism for the specific inactivation of DAMPs is emerging as a key
element for controlling their homeostasis and preventing the deleterious effects of their hyperaccumulation.
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