Meet the SPS PhD students – Emilie Baconnais

Emilie Baconnais, a graduate of the Master’s in Plant Sciences, joined the “Physiology of Plant Cell Wall Assembly, Remodelling, and Expansion” team at the Institute Jean-Pierre Bourgin for Plant Sciences in 2023, where she is conducting her PhD research under the supervision of Herman Höfte. 

Tell us shortly about your project and why you are interested in this topic.

“My project focuses on the role of pH in cell wall expansion and the growth of the root hair of Arabidopsis thaliana. For a cell to grow, the cell wall must be sufficiently elastic to allow for this expansion while remaining rigid enough to withstand the tensions within the cell. I’m investigating the effect of pH on the signaling, composition, and structure of the cell wall. I’ve shown that when acidification becomes too severe, the growth of the Arabidopsis thaliana root hair is inhibited. The wall’s resistance to this extreme situation appears to be mediated by the Rapid Alkalinization Factor (RALF) 22 peptide. I am now seeking to explain which function of the RALF22 peptide is involved and what impact acidification has on a major component of the cell wall, pectins.”

Why did you decide to work with plants? What do you like about plants?

“I realized I wanted to work with plants when I took my first courses on plant development during my bachelor’s. I found them fascinating, particularly their remarkable ability to adapt and develop resilience against the stresses they face due to their immobility. Given current climate challenges, it seemed obvious to me that plant biology research is essential for understanding all these mechanisms and, above all, ensuring sustainable agriculture for the future.”

How did being part of the SPS / Paris-Saclay Plant Sciences community contribute to your PhD?

“Being part of the SPS / Paris-Saclay plant science research community provides a network. We are part of a scientific community that extends beyond our laboratory. This gives me the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other scientists through the news updates and seminars organized by SPS. In addition, I was lucky enough to receive funding to attend a renowned international conference in my field, where I’ll have the opportunity to present my research and get myself known as a young researcher.”

What do you like the most about doing a PhD? Do you have a good memory to share?

“What I like most about doing a PhD is that it’s very stimulating. I enjoy asking myself questions, figuring out how to answer them, and understanding the results I obtain. Very often, the results aren’t what we expected, which raises further questions. That makes every day different.”

What are your career goals after completing your PhD?

“Right now, I don’t have any specific plans. Before starting my PhD, I was thinking about becoming a lecturer, but now I’m aiming more for a research position. That means doing a postdoc after my thesis, perhaps abroad. I’m also thinking about exploring other aspects of plant development, not necessarily the cell wall, or organs other than the absorbent hair. However, I hope that microscopy will remain an important part of my future projects, and I want to keep developing my skills.”