Visualization of intra- and extraradicular structures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by synchrotron X-ray tomography

• Grant number: 24/09509-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Sara Adrian Lopez de Andrade
• Grantee: Maria Clara Rufino dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The symbiotic interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant roots represents one of the most prevalent associations in terrestrial environments. This relationship has significant implications at different levels, ranging from the molecular-cellular level to the global scale, directly influencing mineral nutrition and plant performance in natural and agricultural settings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis significantly impacts the structure of plant and microbial communities present in the soil, influencing carbon dioxide flow and sequestration in the soil, organic matter decomposition, and the biogeochemical carbon cycle on a planetary scale. Despite advances in AMF research, visualization techniques for intra- and extraradicular structures in situ are still underutilized, and few studies conducted by international groups have used advanced imaging techniques, such as synchrotron radiation-based X-ray computed tomography (SRXCT), to investigate AMF. Thus, this project stands out as the first in Brazil to focus on the study of AMF using synchrotron light technology developed in the country, specifically at Sirius (CNPEM). The main objective of this work is to develop an innovative system for studying AMF associated with plant roots through SRXCT, providing a new perspective for understanding this important symbiosis. The project will develop systems for visualizing extra- and intraradicular structures, including the use of contrasting chemical compounds. The development of this technique may offer new research resources to understand the role of AMF in the various processes occurring in the soil.