Like us, plants can distinguish between different pathogens, trigger a ‘bespoke’ immune response and retain a memory of past infections to boost future immunity. However, plant immune systems also exhibit enviable features like the ability to inherit immunological memory from a parent, or to warn distant individuals of an impending pathogen attack. This lecture investigates how they do all of this and more without a single white blood cell.
This lecture was recorded by Robin May on 29th January 2025 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London. Robin May is Gresham professor of physic, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and professor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham.
The lecture chapters are the following:
- 00:00 Introduction – the overlooked world of plant Immunity
- 00:44 Welcome & overview of plant immunity
- 01:58 Plants and their constant battle against pathogens
- 03:16 The discovery of plant immunity – Harold Henry flor’s work
- 05:01 Gene-for-gene relationship in plant defense
- 06:30 The 1990s breakthrough in plant Immunity
- 08:09 Molecular mechanisms of plant defense
- 09:56 Hypersensitive response – plant cell suicide as a defense mechanism
- 12:03 How plants and humans share similar immune responses
- 14:36 The role of salicylic acid in plant immunity
- 17:07 Why plants don’t keep their immune system always active
- 19:24 Evolutionary similarities between plant and human immunity
- 21:08 Salicylic acid – from plants to aspirin
- 23:07 How plants communicate danger through volatile signals
- 25:16 Rapid immune responses – closing stomata to block infection
- 26:43 The underground network – mycorrhizal fungi and plant communication
- 30:15 Potential of fungal networks in climate adaptation
- 31:15 Adaptive immunity in humans versus plants
- 32:51 The future of plant-based antibodies
- 34:13 Edible vaccines – the potential of tomato-based immunization
- 36:00 Engineering plants for more resilient crops
- 37:30 The role of plant Immunity in global food security
- 39:01 Advanced genetic engineering – plant sentinels for disease detection
- 42:26 The future – can plants be used to detect human pathogens?
- 44:51 Conclusion – harnessing plant immunity for a better future
And the lecture is interesting enough to watch it to its end. We hav already used many plants for their benefits (not just food) and we may use even more in the future.
