Biosensor-enabled chemical screens for abiotic stress resistance in seeds
A high-throughput screening platform using genetically encoded biosensors in plant embryos to identify compounds that improve seed germination under drought, salinity, and heat stress. Targets sugar accumulation pathways controlled by abscisic acid signaling.
Overview
This research program develops a high-throughput chemical screening platform to discover compounds that enhance seed germination under abiotic stress conditions such as drought, salinity, and heat. Abiotic stresses suppress germination largely through the hormone abscisic acid (ABA), which disrupts sugar accumulation patterns in embryonic tissues. By leveraging genetically encoded biosensors in Arabidopsis thaliana embryos, the project aims to identify chemical compounds that modulate sugar fluxes and support germination. Identified compounds could be developed into seed treatments or cocktails to improve crop performance in stress-prone environments.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Genetically encoded biosensors detect real-time sugar accumulation changes in embryos
- Microfluidics-based platform enables high-throughput dissection and preparation of transformed embryos
- Chemical library screening identifies compounds that alter sugar accumulation patterns
- Custom image analysis algorithms process biosensor readouts
- Investigation of subcellular localization of sugar transporters that redirect sugar fluxes during stress
Team and capabilities:
- Plant biology expertise from the principal investigator's group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Chemical engineering expertise from a collaborating group at the Georgia Institute of Technology
- Combined capabilities in molecular biology, microfluidics, and computational image analysis
Technology readiness level
The work is at an early-to-mid research stage. Published findings have established the link between ABA signaling and sugar level changes in embryos, and unpublished data suggest a mechanism involving transporter relocalization. The next phase involves building the microfluidics screening pipeline, developing biosensor image analysis algorithms, and validating candidate compounds. The project is estimated to take two years to complete. Partners with access to chemical libraries and funding for key personnel are sought to advance the platform toward broader agricultural application.
About University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign is a flagship public research university with large‑scale research capacity and a broad academic portfolio. An on‑campus Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D teams and startups with faculty, while the National Center for Supercomputing Applications provides advanced computing and data capabilities for collaboration. Integration with a regional health system and an engineering‑based college of medicine enables clinical translation, and a long‑standing extension network links campus innovation to partners statewide. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startups, complemented by incubators and prototyping in the Research Park.
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