We investigate the roles of transport proteins in adaptation, nutrition and growth. We are particularly interested in roots and how they sense, then respond to changes in environmental conditions, including the presence of other organisms. For this we concentrate on the plasma membrane and study the calcium channel proteins that can generate specific calcium signals governing adaptation and growth regulation. We have identified extracellular nucleotides as novel plant cell regulators. We are now exploring perception of extracellular ATP leads to plasma membrane calcium channel opening and how this relates to known effects on cell viability, growth, immune and stress responses.
