Plant Calcium Signaling - Sanders Lab
Position: PhD Student (1998-2002)
Location: Biology Department, University of York, UK
Supervisor: Professor Dale Sanders
PhD Thesis
Title: "Ligand-gated calcium mobilization in higher plants"
Award: BBSRC Studentship (1998: 98/A1/C/04587) - Endomembrane Calcium Channels in Higher Plants
Research Overview
Identified and characterized NAADP-induced calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum in higher plants. This work represented the first demonstration of NAADP-mediated calcium signaling in plant cells.
Key Findings
NAADP in Plant Cells
- Demonstrated NAADP elicits calcium release from plant ER
- Showed NAADP operates through a mechanism distinct from IP3
- Established plants as a model for studying NAADP signaling
- Characterized pharmacology of plant NAADP receptors
Novel Signaling Pathway
This discovery expanded understanding of calcium signaling beyond animal systems and suggested evolutionary conservation of NAADP signaling mechanisms.
Significance
Cross-Kingdom Conservation
The presence of NAADP-mediated calcium signaling in both plants and animals suggested: - Ancient evolutionary origin of this signaling pathway - Fundamental importance of NAADP in cellular calcium regulation - Potential for plants as experimental models for calcium signaling research
Plant Signaling
Contributed to understanding of how plants respond to environmental stimuli through calcium signaling cascades.
Techniques
Calcium Measurements
- Fluorescent calcium indicators
- Microinjection techniques
- Pharmacological manipulation
Plant Cell Biology
- Cell culture and protoplast preparation
- Subcellular fractionation
- ER isolation
Biochemistry
- NAADP synthesis and purification
- Receptor binding studies
- Second messenger quantification
Publications (2 total)
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Navazio L, Bewell MA, Siddiqua A, Dickinson GD, Galione A, Sanders D. (2000) Calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum of higher plants elicited by the NADP metabolite nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 97(15):8693-8. PMID: 10890899
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Sanders D, Navazio L, Bewell MA, Siddiqua A, Dickinson G, Fischer M. (2000) Calcium signalling and calcium channels in plants and yeast. Biochemical Society Transactions 28(3):56. DOI: 10.1042/bst028a056a
Education Details
MRes Biomolecular Science (1997-1998)
University of York, UK - Distinction
Research training year leading to PhD studies
PgDip Laboratory Technology & Data Management (1996-1997)
Scottish Agricultural College, UK - Merit
Practical laboratory skills and data management
BSc (Hons) Biology (1992-1996)
University of Aberdeen, UK - 2.1
Undergraduate degree with focus on cell and molecular biology
Career Path
This PhD research established expertise in calcium signaling that formed the foundation for subsequent postdoctoral work on NAADP receptors (Patel Lab) and later transition to studying IP3 receptors (Parker Lab).
Page last updated: December 2024