NCN OPUS grant to investigate RNA-processing enzymes as key regulators of nucleolar stress in plants

22 06 2026

Dr Monika Zakrzewska-Płaczek from the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology has received PLN 3,081,100 in funding from the National Science Centre under the OPUS 30 call for the project entitled “RNA-processing enzymes as key regulators of nucleolar stress in plants”.

Due to climate change, plants increasingly have to cope with drought, heat, and diseases. Since they cannot run away, their survival depends on internal defense mechanisms. Crucial to this is the production of ribosomes – cellular “factories” that manufacture proteins essential for life and stress response. This process takes place inside the cell, within a structure called the nucleolus. Preliminary data show that disruptions in ribosome production affect the activity of hundreds of genes, including those responsible for immunity and cell development.

What is nucleolar stress? When environmental conditions disrupt ribosome production, it leads to so-called nucleolar stress. Environmental conditions may lead to nucleolar stress, characterised mainly by disrupted ribosome production. In animals, this process is well known and linked to diseases, but in plants, it remains a major mystery. The main premise is that specific enzymes (responsible for RNA processing) not only participate in ribosome formation but also control the structure of the nucleolus itself and regulate gene expression.

To analyze nucleolar stress, a popular model plant – Arabidopsis thaliana – and its genetically modified versions will be used, analyzed with advanced methods combining molecular biology, biochemistry, and microscopy, including the study of biomolecular condensates and the formation of liquid droplets (known as liquid-liquid phase separation). This will allow for the identification of proteins that respond to nucleolar stress and show how these disruptions affect the growth and development of the entire plant.

Why is this knowledge important? Understanding these mechanisms provides a better insight into the fundamental cellular functions of plants. In the future, these discoveries may help create new crop varieties that are more resilient to climate change.

We warmly congratulate her on receiving the grant and wish her every success with the project!

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