Plant peptide–receptor signaling pathways play a central role in coordinating growth, development, and responses to environmental stress. Over the past three decades, the identification of diverse secreted peptides and their cognate cell-surface receptors has transformed our understanding of plant cell-to-cell communication. These pathways regulate key agricultural traits, including meristem maintenance, vascular differentiation, nutrient signaling, immune responses, and adaptation to abiotic stress.

My talk will highlight recent advances in deciphering plant peptide–receptor networks, focusing on how molecular specificity, signal integration, and spatial regulation shape plant performance. I will discuss representative peptide families and receptor kinases, the experimental and computational approaches used to map these signaling circuits, and emerging insights into pathway crosstalk and evolutionary conservation.

Importantly, I will explore how fundamental knowledge of peptide–receptor signaling can be translated into sustainable agricultural solutions. By targeting endogenous signaling pathways, it becomes possible to improve crop resilience, optimize growth under limited inputs, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Together, these advances position plant peptide–receptor pathways as powerful leverage points for developing next-generation, environmentally responsible agricultural strategies

Afterwards, there will be a career discussion panel in room G01-101 for early-career scientists of all genders.