NCN OPUS grant for research on the regulation of chromatin remodeling in plant stress responses

28 07 2026

Dr hab. Rafał Archacki from the Department of Systems Biology at the Institute of Experimental Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, has received funding from the National Science Centre in the amount of PLN 2,992,600 under the OPUS 30 call for the implementation of the project entitled “Mechanisms of epigenetic recruitment of chromatin remodelers in the regulation of plant growth and stress responses”.

Chromatin remodelers are large protein complexes that use energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to alter the structure of nucleosomes — the basic units of chromatin. In this way, they regulate access to DNA and influence gene activity.

Numerous studies have shown that chromatin remodelers bind to thousands of sites in the genomes of eukaryotic organisms. However, the mechanisms that direct them to these specific chromatin locations are still not well understood.

The aim of this project is to determine how chromatin remodelers recognize and are recruited to regions containing histone proteins with chemical modifications known as epigenetic modifications. Understanding these mechanisms will help explain how chromatin structure contributes to the regulation of gene activity.

This research may be particularly important for explaining how plants respond to stress. Under unfavorable environmental conditions, major changes occur in chromatin structure and in the activity of hundreds of genes. These processes enable plants to adjust to changing conditions and activate appropriate defensive or adaptive responses.

The results of the project will contribute to a better understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating plant growth and stress responses. They will also help explain how chromatin remodelers participate in the precise control of gene activity during plant development and under environmental stress conditions.

Warm congratulations on receiving the grant, and we wish every success in carrying out the project!

To learn more about the research carried out by dr. habil. Rafał Archacki’s group, visit: https://ibebr.biol.uw.edu.pl/grupa-rafala-archackiego/

Details of the National Science Centre funding calls are available at:
https://www.ncn.gov.pl/aktualnosci/2026-06-11-wyniki-opus30-sonata21