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Gözde Demirer aims to grant plants extraordinary capabilities—the power to sustainably nourish the planet, or to withstand drought and climate fluctuations, for instance—and to achieve this while enhancing the ecological wellbeing. A mask and cape won’t suffice. Instead, she employs the resources of nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and genetic modification, alongside the assistance of plants’ reliable allies: beneficial microbes residing in the soil.
Demirer serves as the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Caltech. Her research is centered on three primary domains: creating nanoparticles that can effectively transport biomolecule cargoes into plants, enhancing the precision and efficacy of genetic modification tools in plants, and uncovering methods to leverage beneficial interactions between plants and the microbes surrounding them.
Hailing from Istanbul, Turkey, Demirer completed her undergraduate studies in chemical and biological engineering at Koç University. She finished her graduate education in chemical and biomolecular engineering at UC Berkeley in 2020, during which she received an offer for a faculty position at Caltech. She chose to pursue a postdoctoral appointment at the UC Davis Department of Plant Biology before joining the faculty at Caltech in 2022.
We spoke with Demirer to delve deeper into the unconventional path she took to her specialty and the potential she sees for plants with extraordinary abilities.
Could you provide a broad summary of your group’s research?
We create innovative synthetic biology and nanotechnology approaches to manipulate plants and their microbiomes precisely, enhancing their health. Our goal is to boost plant yield and adaptability by refining plant genes and genomes using cutting-edge genetic-engineering methods, making them more suitable for cultivation amid climate changes.
Simultaneously, we are focused on promoting environmental health. Present agricultural methods rely excessively on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to eutrophication, soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural lands, and biodiversity loss. This indicates that agriculture significantly contributes to anthropogenic climate change. We strive to enhance plants so they can be cultivated with minimal harm to the environment, utilizing fewer agrochemicals and natural resources. For instance, we wish to utilize beneficial microbes instead of synthetic fertilizers to restore soil nutrients or convert them into forms that plants can absorb.
You referenced genetic-engineering techniques. Could you elaborate on how you apply that in your research with plants?
A key genetic-engineering technique we’ve been concentrating on recently is the capacity to insert a specific gene into a designated spot within a plant’s genome, which serves numerous powerful purposes in both fundamental plant biology and biotechnology applications. We are developing gene-editing systems to achieve this. Much of this technology was derived from bacteria and has been adapted for efficacy in mammalian cells. However, by design, these systems don’t operate effectively in plants. A simple illustration is that CRISPR molecules are optimized for functioning in the human body at 37 degrees Celsius [98.6 degrees Fahrenheit], whereas plants operate at room temperature, around 20 degrees [68 degrees Fahrenheit]. When shifting from the human body to plants, the enzymes experience a significant loss of efficiency due to the temperature drop. Furthermore, there are numerous other factors contributing to the reduced efficiency of these molecules in plants. These molecules interact with bacterial proteins and genomes, and when introduced into plants, they encounter an entirely different genomic structure—differing proteins and genes—leading to inefficacy. Hence, one method involves modifying genetic engineering tools to function more effectively specifically within plant cells. In another approach, we aim to identify genetic engineering systems from eukaryotic organisms that might be more straightforward and effective for application in plants.
How did you come to focus on plant genetic engineering?
During my undergraduate research, I concentrated on developing nanomaterials for drug delivery into human biological systems, particularly in cancer and diabetes fields. I assumed I would remain in similar domains.
However, when exploring laboratories as a graduate student at UC Berkeley, I met Markita Landry, a principal investigator just starting her work. She had been employing nanoparticles her lab intended to use as sensors for neurotransmitter release in the brain. They would discharge neurotransmitters into the space between the cells in the brain, but rather than remaining there, the nanoparticles actually penetrated the neuronal cells. These cells are notoriously difficult for delivery of substances, prompting Markita to consider that nanoparticles might be advantageous for targeting these hard-to-reach cells. We realized that plant cells also posed challenges for delivering genes or small molecules due to their rigid cell walls. This sparked our enthusiasm about the potential applications of nanoparticles in plant biology and bioengineering. With neither of us possessing a background in plant biology, we began from the ground up!
What was it like venturing into a completely new realm of learning?
At first, there was a steep learning curve. Fortunately, we collaborated with plant biologists who helped us navigate the initial stages. Later, I chose to pursue a postdoc at UC Davis, where there is extensive expertise in plant biology. This experience was invaluable, allowing me to learn from individuals with hands-on experience in working with crops and engineering plant genes and genomes.
Fascinating! So that discussion with Dr. Landry eventually evolved into the primary focus of your lab?
Indeed, we conduct a considerable amount of research on delivering to plants and improving genetic engineering, but we also emphasize a fundamental understanding of how these processes are regulated within plants.
Often in plants, we lack clarity on which genes correspond to specific functions. For instance, if our goal is to enhance plants’ drought resistance, the essential gene to modify remains unknown. Even with the best delivery techniques and genetic engineering tools, we must comprehend which genes to alter to enhance plant resilience. Consequently, we also engage in research to decipher plant gene functions and the regulatory mechanisms at play, ensuring that our laboratory work is applicable beyond the laboratory setting.
Our lab is also keenly interested in plant-microbe interactions. Microbes contribute significantly to maintaining soil health surrounding plants, and we have yet to fully harness this potential. My lab is investigating how we can boost beneficial bacterial populations within the soil microbiome. This could prove invaluable during nutrient shortages, for example.
Manipulating the plant microbiome is a new research area I began exploring after arriving at Caltech. Our initial objective is to identify the chemical signaling molecules that plants utilize to communicate with microbes. These molecules are not well understood. We remain uncertain about what substances plants emit to attract microbes to cluster around their roots. However, we do know that carbon substrates and chemoattractants play a role. We are currently determining that each bacterial species favors different types of carbon. If we alter the carbon being released by a plant, we can influence the types of microbes present in the soil.
We typically ask faculty members about their hobbies and interests outside of their research. Do you have any?
I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. I strive to go hiking, biking, and exercising while discovering new locations. In my profession, I spend a substantial amount of time seated, so I like to engage in activities that help me stay active.
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