Kei Hiruma
@keihiruma.bsky.social
Studying Plant-Microbe-Microbe interactions, especially parasitic-mutualistic continuum.
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
📣 Now announcing the journal publication 📄 of our work in @newphyt.bsky.social on how Verticillium undermines the plant's 🌱 "cry for help": terrific work by @antonkraege.bsky.social & @wolki95.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/nph....
Undermining the cry for help: the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae secretes an antimicrobial effector protein to undermine host recruitment of antagonistic Pseudomonas bacteria
During pathogen attack, plants recruit beneficial microbes in a ‘cry for help’ to mitigate disease development. Simultaneously, pathogens secrete effectors to promote host colonisation through vario...
doi.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
📣 Now announcing the journal publication 📄 of our work in @newphyt.bsky.social on how Verticillium undermines the plant's 🌱 "cry for help": terrific work by @antonkraege.bsky.social & @wolki95.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/nph....
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
I’m very happy to see my fist article now officially published 🥳 great work by my partner in crime @wolki95.bsky.social and the rest of @teamthomma.bsky.social! Find it here: doi.org/10.1111/nph.... or have a look at the 🧵⬇️
October 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM
I’m very happy to see my fist article now officially published 🥳 great work by my partner in crime @wolki95.bsky.social and the rest of @teamthomma.bsky.social! Find it here: doi.org/10.1111/nph.... or have a look at the 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
It’s been 14 years since I uploaded a video on YouTube showing that Striga does not infect other members of the Orobanchaceae family.JSPS Fellow Simon came to Japan and carried out mutant screening to find mechanism and it was 10 years ago that the mutant was finally obtained. A long journey.
Simon's mutant finally published! Well done, Satoko' lab with Harro, Tobimatsu, Tohge collaborations. Glucosylation of endogenous haustorium-inducing factors underpins kin avoidance in parasitic plants | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Glucosylation of endogenous haustorium-inducing factors underpins kin avoidance in parasitic plants
Parasitic plants rarely attack themselves, suggesting the existence of a kin-avoidance mechanism. In the root parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum, prehaustorium formation is triggered by host-se...
www.science.org
October 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
It’s been 14 years since I uploaded a video on YouTube showing that Striga does not infect other members of the Orobanchaceae family.JSPS Fellow Simon came to Japan and carried out mutant screening to find mechanism and it was 10 years ago that the mutant was finally obtained. A long journey.
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
📣 New @biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social preprint, another joint-venture of @wolki95.bsky.social & @antonkraege.bsky.social, co-directed by @nicksnelders.bsky.social. Here’s a 🧵
Differential contributions of an antimicrobial effector from Verticillium dahliae to virulence and tomato microbiota assembly across natural soils https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.30.679524v1
October 14, 2025 at 8:05 PM
📣 New @biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social preprint, another joint-venture of @wolki95.bsky.social & @antonkraege.bsky.social, co-directed by @nicksnelders.bsky.social. Here’s a 🧵
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Our latest work is out! We set out to see if we could recreate soil-nurturing plant growth in vitro. The plants looked happy and we see microbiome-induced cell-type-specific responses! A modest step but a fun challenge 😁
Artificial Soil (ArtSoil): recreating soil conditions in synthetic plant growth media https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.09.681539v1
October 12, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Our latest work is out! We set out to see if we could recreate soil-nurturing plant growth in vitro. The plants looked happy and we see microbiome-induced cell-type-specific responses! A modest step but a fun challenge 😁
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
New PhD opportunity in my group @thesainsburylab.bsky.social through the BBSRC NRP DTP Programme - see details of host to apply below
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/van...
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/van...
Vanishing Virulence: Investigating pathogenicity loss in a plant pathogenic fungus (TALBOT_T26DTP) | Doctoral Training Partnership
What makes a plant killer lose its edge? This project will investigate why fungal pathogens lose virulence when they are grown in laboratory culture away from their host plant. Use cutting-edge…
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
October 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
New PhD opportunity in my group @thesainsburylab.bsky.social through the BBSRC NRP DTP Programme - see details of host to apply below
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/van...
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/van...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
New opportunity to undertake a PhD in my group at the John Innes Centre - if you’re interested in plant immunity and evolution check out the link!
Understanding Host Compatibility in the Marchantia-Phytophthora System (CARELLA_J26DTP) | Doctoral Training Partnership
The fossil record demonstrates that filamentous microbes invaded ancient plant cells with intracellular hyphal structures over 450 million years ago. To this day, a rich diversity of extant land plant...
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
October 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
New opportunity to undertake a PhD in my group at the John Innes Centre - if you’re interested in plant immunity and evolution check out the link!
We are pleased to announce the release of our special issue, “Diverse Symbiotic Relationships between Plants and Microbes in the Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere,” now available in Plant Biotechnology (open access)!
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/plant...
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/plant...
Plant Biotechnology, Volume 42, Issue 3
Published by Japanese Society for Plant Biotechnology. OPEN ACCESS
www.jstage.jst.go.jp
October 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We are pleased to announce the release of our special issue, “Diverse Symbiotic Relationships between Plants and Microbes in the Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere,” now available in Plant Biotechnology (open access)!
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/plant...
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/plant...
We’re delighted to share that our paper has been just accepted in PCP!
We analyzed fungus–fungus competition that suppresses pathogenic colonization in Arabidopsis roots.Special thanks to Duke, Hiroyuki, Yuki, Nanami, and everyone who contributed!
t.co/obQyD1rzI1
We analyzed fungus–fungus competition that suppresses pathogenic colonization in Arabidopsis roots.Special thanks to Duke, Hiroyuki, Yuki, Nanami, and everyone who contributed!
t.co/obQyD1rzI1
https://academic.oup.com/pcp/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/pcp/pcaf126/8277635
t.co
October 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We’re delighted to share that our paper has been just accepted in PCP!
We analyzed fungus–fungus competition that suppresses pathogenic colonization in Arabidopsis roots.Special thanks to Duke, Hiroyuki, Yuki, Nanami, and everyone who contributed!
t.co/obQyD1rzI1
We analyzed fungus–fungus competition that suppresses pathogenic colonization in Arabidopsis roots.Special thanks to Duke, Hiroyuki, Yuki, Nanami, and everyone who contributed!
t.co/obQyD1rzI1
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
I am happy to see this out!
Plant-microbe relationship (mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic) is not fixed, but rather dynamic, depending on the specific context.
We summarize the current knowledge on this.
Hope you enjoy~
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/plan...
Plant-microbe relationship (mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic) is not fixed, but rather dynamic, depending on the specific context.
We summarize the current knowledge on this.
Hope you enjoy~
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/plan...
Dynamic shifts in plant-microbe relationships
Plant-microbe interactions encompass a continuum from mutualism and commensalism to parasitism. Mutualists confer benefits such as nutrient acquisitio …
www.jstage.jst.go.jp
September 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I am happy to see this out!
Plant-microbe relationship (mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic) is not fixed, but rather dynamic, depending on the specific context.
We summarize the current knowledge on this.
Hope you enjoy~
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/plan...
Plant-microbe relationship (mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic) is not fixed, but rather dynamic, depending on the specific context.
We summarize the current knowledge on this.
Hope you enjoy~
www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/plan...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
We proudly present a new preprint by Leon Pierdzig et al: Wall teichoic acids, glycopolymers specific to Gram-positive bacteria, trigger defense and cell death in Arabidopsis. Cysteine-rich RLKs act as key components in their perception. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
September 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
We proudly present a new preprint by Leon Pierdzig et al: Wall teichoic acids, glycopolymers specific to Gram-positive bacteria, trigger defense and cell death in Arabidopsis. Cysteine-rich RLKs act as key components in their perception. doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
updated preprint: Intriguingly, Arabidopsis responded with both, improved growth and enhanced defence to a maize-conditioned soil microbiome, and this dual microbiome feedbacks were mediated by priming of the defences. Credits to Katja Stengele et al.!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Benzoxazinoid-mediated microbiome feedbacks enhance Arabidopsis growth and defense
Plants modulate their surrounding microbiome via root exudates and this conditioned soil microbiome feeds back on the performance of the next generation of plants. How plants can perceive this altered...
www.biorxiv.org
August 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
updated preprint: Intriguingly, Arabidopsis responded with both, improved growth and enhanced defence to a maize-conditioned soil microbiome, and this dual microbiome feedbacks were mediated by priming of the defences. Credits to Katja Stengele et al.!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
WIND1 controls cell fate transition through histone acetylation and deacetylation during somatic embryogenesis https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.07.669221v1
August 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
WIND1 controls cell fate transition through histone acetylation and deacetylation during somatic embryogenesis https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.07.669221v1
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Nitrogen acquisition and selective bacterial attraction through fungal hyphae promote plant growth and health under nitrogen limitation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.05.668771v1
August 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Nitrogen acquisition and selective bacterial attraction through fungal hyphae promote plant growth and health under nitrogen limitation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.05.668771v1
We have posted our latest preprint. We explore how an endophytic fungus promotes plant growth and fitness under fluctuating nitrogen-limited conditions in both field and laboratory settings, in additively with bacteria attracted to its hyphae. We hope you enjoy it!
Nitrogen acquisition and selective bacterial attraction through fungal hyphae promote plant growth and health under nitrogen limitation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.05.668771v1
August 8, 2025 at 2:58 AM
We have posted our latest preprint. We explore how an endophytic fungus promotes plant growth and fitness under fluctuating nitrogen-limited conditions in both field and laboratory settings, in additively with bacteria attracted to its hyphae. We hope you enjoy it!
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Here comes the final version.
Congratulations Erika, Yasu, Ken, and all others involved!
@yasukadota.bsky.social @shirasulab.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congratulations Erika, Yasu, Ken, and all others involved!
@yasukadota.bsky.social @shirasulab.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
July 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Here comes the final version.
Congratulations Erika, Yasu, Ken, and all others involved!
@yasukadota.bsky.social @shirasulab.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congratulations Erika, Yasu, Ken, and all others involved!
@yasukadota.bsky.social @shirasulab.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
I'm very happy that this paper is now published in PNAS!
Isochorismate-based salicylic acid biosynthesis appears to have emerged in the Brassicales after the divergence of C. papaya, likely within the timeframe between the divergence of B. maritima and R. odorata.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Isochorismate-based salicylic acid biosynthesis appears to have emerged in the Brassicales after the divergence of C. papaya, likely within the timeframe between the divergence of B. maritima and R. odorata.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Emergence of isochorismate-based salicylic acid biosynthesis within Brassicales | PNAS
Salicylic acid (SA) is a major defense phytohormone. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the
isochorismate (IC) pathway is the primary route for pathogen-indu...
www.pnas.org
July 18, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I'm very happy that this paper is now published in PNAS!
Isochorismate-based salicylic acid biosynthesis appears to have emerged in the Brassicales after the divergence of C. papaya, likely within the timeframe between the divergence of B. maritima and R. odorata.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Isochorismate-based salicylic acid biosynthesis appears to have emerged in the Brassicales after the divergence of C. papaya, likely within the timeframe between the divergence of B. maritima and R. odorata.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Huge thanks to the amazing team at @currentbiology.bsky.social for highlighting fungi in this special issue. Many excellent reviews and perspectives from so many mycological heroes. Lots of great material to use in teaching/outreach. 🍄
Our newest special issue is now live! Check it out to discover more about diverse and beautiful Fungi🍄🍄🟫🍄 On the cover: the fly agaric, Amanita muscaria, releasing its spores in the early morning light. www.cell.com/current-biol...
June 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Huge thanks to the amazing team at @currentbiology.bsky.social for highlighting fungi in this special issue. Many excellent reviews and perspectives from so many mycological heroes. Lots of great material to use in teaching/outreach. 🍄
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Saprotrophy-to-symbiosis continuum in fungi
I enjoyed writing this piece with Tan Hao for the Current Biology special issue on Fungi
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I enjoyed writing this piece with Tan Hao for the Current Biology special issue on Fungi
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Saprotrophy-to-symbiosis continuum in fungi
Fungi are one of the most diverse and ecologically important groups of organisms on Earth. They exhibit remarkable diversity in their ecological roles…
www.sciencedirect.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Saprotrophy-to-symbiosis continuum in fungi
I enjoyed writing this piece with Tan Hao for the Current Biology special issue on Fungi
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I enjoyed writing this piece with Tan Hao for the Current Biology special issue on Fungi
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Our newest special issue is now live! Check it out to discover more about diverse and beautiful Fungi🍄🍄🟫🍄 On the cover: the fly agaric, Amanita muscaria, releasing its spores in the early morning light. www.cell.com/current-biol...
June 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Our newest special issue is now live! Check it out to discover more about diverse and beautiful Fungi🍄🍄🟫🍄 On the cover: the fly agaric, Amanita muscaria, releasing its spores in the early morning light. www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Congratulations to Uta Paszkowski from @cropscicentre.bsky.social - elected to the National Academy of Sciences, USA in recognition of her significant contributions to understanding symbiotic relationships between plants & fungi.
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
@paszkowskilab.bsky.social
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
@paszkowskilab.bsky.social
May 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Congratulations to Uta Paszkowski from @cropscicentre.bsky.social - elected to the National Academy of Sciences, USA in recognition of her significant contributions to understanding symbiotic relationships between plants & fungi.
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
@paszkowskilab.bsky.social
@cambridgebiosci.bsky.social
@paszkowskilab.bsky.social
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Plant Science Research Weekly -- Friend or Foe? How fungi switch between helping and harming plants (Current Biology) @rujimatsu.bsky.social @keihiruma.bsky.social (Summary by Carlos González Sanz) buff.ly/xfa7e93
#PlantaePSRW
#PlantaePSRW
Friend or Foe? How fungi switch between helping and harming plants | Plantae
Plants coexist and interact with various microorganisms in the soil environment, including fungi. These associated fungi can not only cause diseases but also establish symbiotic interactions that…
buff.ly
April 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Plant Science Research Weekly -- Friend or Foe? How fungi switch between helping and harming plants (Current Biology) @rujimatsu.bsky.social @keihiruma.bsky.social (Summary by Carlos González Sanz) buff.ly/xfa7e93
#PlantaePSRW
#PlantaePSRW
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
New Pre-print!
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Driven by Kerstin Unger, we find that a "virulence factor" has cool roles in microbe-microbe interactions
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Driven by Kerstin Unger, we find that a "virulence factor" has cool roles in microbe-microbe interactions
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression
Plants produce a plethora of specialised metabolites that often play important roles in their defence against pathogenic microbes or herbivorous insects. Exposure of leaf colonising microbes to these ...
doi.org
April 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
New Pre-print!
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Driven by Kerstin Unger, we find that a "virulence factor" has cool roles in microbe-microbe interactions
Pseudomonas virulence factor SaxA detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products, rescuing a commensal that suppresses virulence gene expression
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Driven by Kerstin Unger, we find that a "virulence factor" has cool roles in microbe-microbe interactions
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
New paper in Microbiome (with fancy summary video): doi.org/10.1186/s401...
1. Many bacteria can realistically transition from soil to mature leaves.
2. Early stages post-germination shape colonization processes and diversity.
3. P-M-M interactions affect mostly deterministic colonzers.
Enjoy!
1. Many bacteria can realistically transition from soil to mature leaves.
2. Early stages post-germination shape colonization processes and diversity.
3. P-M-M interactions affect mostly deterministic colonzers.
Enjoy!
Deterministic colonization arises early during the transition of soil bacteria to the phyllosphere and is shaped by plant–microbe interactions - Microbiome
Background Upon seed germination, soil bacteria are activated to transition to the plant and eventually colonize mature tissues like leaves. These bacteria are poised to significantly influence plant ...
doi.org
April 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New paper in Microbiome (with fancy summary video): doi.org/10.1186/s401...
1. Many bacteria can realistically transition from soil to mature leaves.
2. Early stages post-germination shape colonization processes and diversity.
3. P-M-M interactions affect mostly deterministic colonzers.
Enjoy!
1. Many bacteria can realistically transition from soil to mature leaves.
2. Early stages post-germination shape colonization processes and diversity.
3. P-M-M interactions affect mostly deterministic colonzers.
Enjoy!
Reposted by Kei Hiruma
Plant Science Research Weekly April 25 plantae.org/plant-scienc... (2/2) Cryptic giant virus infection; A fungal switch between ally and aggressor; Stopping citrus greening with peptide therapy; A mechanosensitive ion channel helps parasitic plants clamp down.
April 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Plant Science Research Weekly April 25 plantae.org/plant-scienc... (2/2) Cryptic giant virus infection; A fungal switch between ally and aggressor; Stopping citrus greening with peptide therapy; A mechanosensitive ion channel helps parasitic plants clamp down.