Ken Shirasu
@shirasulab.bsky.social
Scientist@RIKEN, Univ of Tokyo,
Studying plant-microbe interactions, parasitic plants, plant immunity
http://plantimmunity.riken.jp/index.html
Studying plant-microbe interactions, parasitic plants, plant immunity
http://plantimmunity.riken.jp/index.html
Congrats, Tatsuya!
We are pleased to announce that @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social has won the Young Investigator Award by the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists.
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Congrats, Tatsuya!
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
In case you missed it, the clocks went back last night in the UK 🕰️
Do you think Chronophage at @corpuscambridge.bsky.social is enjoying the extra hour?
📸 Lloyd Mann
Do you think Chronophage at @corpuscambridge.bsky.social is enjoying the extra hour?
📸 Lloyd Mann
October 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In case you missed it, the clocks went back last night in the UK 🕰️
Do you think Chronophage at @corpuscambridge.bsky.social is enjoying the extra hour?
📸 Lloyd Mann
Do you think Chronophage at @corpuscambridge.bsky.social is enjoying the extra hour?
📸 Lloyd Mann
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Read PCP Editors Satoko Yoshida and Takayuki Tohge's exciting collaborative work on parasitic plants (below).
And watch out for PCP's upcoming special issue on #ParasiticPlants (organised by Satoko Yoshida, Atsushi Okazawa, Thomas Spallek and Kaori Yoneyama) - out next year...!
And watch out for PCP's upcoming special issue on #ParasiticPlants (organised by Satoko Yoshida, Atsushi Okazawa, Thomas Spallek and Kaori Yoneyama) - out next year...!
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 3:24 PM
Read PCP Editors Satoko Yoshida and Takayuki Tohge's exciting collaborative work on parasitic plants (below).
And watch out for PCP's upcoming special issue on #ParasiticPlants (organised by Satoko Yoshida, Atsushi Okazawa, Thomas Spallek and Kaori Yoneyama) - out next year...!
And watch out for PCP's upcoming special issue on #ParasiticPlants (organised by Satoko Yoshida, Atsushi Okazawa, Thomas Spallek and Kaori Yoneyama) - out next year...!
October 24, 2025 at 12:47 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.
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.
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 12:29 AM
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/...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Orobanche cumana in the USA!
The WSDA is on the hunt for a new crop pest, parasitic plant Orobanche cumana (aka 'SBR' or sunflower broomrape).
Thanks, iNaturalist community, O. cumana was ID'ed for the 1st time in North America in Yakima County. O. cumana is an agronomic pest and could destablilize native plant ecosystems.
Thanks, iNaturalist community, O. cumana was ID'ed for the 1st time in North America in Yakima County. O. cumana is an agronomic pest and could destablilize native plant ecosystems.
WSDA seeks help from sunflower growers after first North American detection of sunflower broomrape confirmed in Yakima
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has confirmed the first-ever North American detection of Orobanche cumana, commonly known as sunflower broomrape, in Yakima, WA. This marks the fi...
agr.wa.gov
October 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Orobanche cumana in the USA!
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
I had the honour of giving a talk at the Biochemical Society conference and finally received the medal. Grateful once again to everyone who made this possible! #BiochemEvent
October 22, 2025 at 9:17 AM
I had the honour of giving a talk at the Biochemical Society conference and finally received the medal. Grateful once again to everyone who made this possible! #BiochemEvent
Pomelo on tatami as the cover of RIKEN Research www.riken.jp/medialibrary...
October 20, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Pomelo on tatami as the cover of RIKEN Research www.riken.jp/medialibrary...
In Other Journals | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
In Other Journals
Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
In Other Journals | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
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 Ken Shirasu
Rewriting the code of plant immunity go.nature.com/475WgV7
October 14, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Rewriting the code of plant immunity go.nature.com/475WgV7
Seeking ghosts www.science.org/content/arti...
These ‘ghost flowers’ thrive without photosynthesis. One scientist is learning how
Japanese botanist Kenji Suetsugu studies plants that steal carbon and nutrients from soil fungi
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Seeking ghosts www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Only 10 days left to apply to the MSU Plant Resilience Institute for a faculty position.We're looking for 1 junior and 1 senior faculty. Applications submitted after 10/15 cannot be considered. Join us! It's a very collaborative, fun, innovative group of plant biologists. Apply at: lnkd.in/eRyDv_Pi
October 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Only 10 days left to apply to the MSU Plant Resilience Institute for a faculty position.We're looking for 1 junior and 1 senior faculty. Applications submitted after 10/15 cannot be considered. Join us! It's a very collaborative, fun, innovative group of plant biologists. Apply at: lnkd.in/eRyDv_Pi
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Lots of hard work from Gabriel Ferreras Garrucho, Chai Hao Chiu and Tania Chancellor @cropscicentre.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social .
Let us know what you think!
Let us know what you think!
October 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Lots of hard work from Gabriel Ferreras Garrucho, Chai Hao Chiu and Tania Chancellor @cropscicentre.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social .
Let us know what you think!
Let us know what you think!
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
It's been a busy time in the Paszkowski lab!
First, a pre-print on how rice distinguishes friend (AM fungi)🍄 from foe (pathogens)👾: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
And second, a review on single-cell omic approaches to understand the spatially and temporally complex AM symbiosis 🔬: doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
First, a pre-print on how rice distinguishes friend (AM fungi)🍄 from foe (pathogens)👾: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
And second, a review on single-cell omic approaches to understand the spatially and temporally complex AM symbiosis 🔬: doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
Defining the pre-symbiotic transcriptional landscape of rice roots
Plants interact with a plethora of organisms in the rhizosphere, with outcomes that range from detrimental to beneficial. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is the most ubiquitous beneficial plant ...
doi.org
October 6, 2025 at 10:29 AM
It's been a busy time in the Paszkowski lab!
First, a pre-print on how rice distinguishes friend (AM fungi)🍄 from foe (pathogens)👾: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
And second, a review on single-cell omic approaches to understand the spatially and temporally complex AM symbiosis 🔬: doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
First, a pre-print on how rice distinguishes friend (AM fungi)🍄 from foe (pathogens)👾: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
And second, a review on single-cell omic approaches to understand the spatially and temporally complex AM symbiosis 🔬: doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
NEW ARTICLE FROM THE LAB 🎉🍀🧫
Groundbreaking work performed by @hueihsuantsai.bsky.social and all!
Please, go have a read! Congrats to making it to the cover!!!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Groundbreaking work performed by @hueihsuantsai.bsky.social and all!
Please, go have a read! Congrats to making it to the cover!!!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM
NEW ARTICLE FROM THE LAB 🎉🍀🧫
Groundbreaking work performed by @hueihsuantsai.bsky.social and all!
Please, go have a read! Congrats to making it to the cover!!!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Groundbreaking work performed by @hueihsuantsai.bsky.social and all!
Please, go have a read! Congrats to making it to the cover!!!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Wounding activates the HSFA1 transcription factors to promote cellular reprogramming in Arabidopsis https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.29.679115v1
October 1, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Wounding activates the HSFA1 transcription factors to promote cellular reprogramming in Arabidopsis https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.29.679115v1
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Amazing work by the Santiago lab @unil.bsky.social. The malectin-LRR receptor kinase IGP1 senses cello-oligomers to alert the plant immune system & enhance disease resistance. Very nice discovery & mechanism.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Amazing work by the Santiago lab @unil.bsky.social. The malectin-LRR receptor kinase IGP1 senses cello-oligomers to alert the plant immune system & enhance disease resistance. Very nice discovery & mechanism.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
(Part 2)
“From my first visit, I was struck by the energy and excitement...It feels like being a graduate student again, chasing curiosity wherever it leads."
@hhmi.org Investigator David Stern will join the Stowers Institute in Feb. 2026 from @hhmijanelia.bsky.social.
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
“From my first visit, I was struck by the energy and excitement...It feels like being a graduate student again, chasing curiosity wherever it leads."
@hhmi.org Investigator David Stern will join the Stowers Institute in Feb. 2026 from @hhmijanelia.bsky.social.
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
September 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
(Part 2)
“From my first visit, I was struck by the energy and excitement...It feels like being a graduate student again, chasing curiosity wherever it leads."
@hhmi.org Investigator David Stern will join the Stowers Institute in Feb. 2026 from @hhmijanelia.bsky.social.
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
“From my first visit, I was struck by the energy and excitement...It feels like being a graduate student again, chasing curiosity wherever it leads."
@hhmi.org Investigator David Stern will join the Stowers Institute in Feb. 2026 from @hhmijanelia.bsky.social.
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
(Part 1) Hear from @hhmi_news Investigator David Stern about his research program and what he's uncovering in the lab.
Stern will join the Institute in February 2026, bringing his lab and HHMI appointment to Kansas City. @hhmi.org
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
Stern will join the Institute in February 2026, bringing his lab and HHMI appointment to Kansas City. @hhmi.org
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
September 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
(Part 1) Hear from @hhmi_news Investigator David Stern about his research program and what he's uncovering in the lab.
Stern will join the Institute in February 2026, bringing his lab and HHMI appointment to Kansas City. @hhmi.org
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
Stern will join the Institute in February 2026, bringing his lab and HHMI appointment to Kansas City. @hhmi.org
Read more: bit.ly/4np96Fb
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
It's official! We are moving to Stowers!
Very exciting opportunity to expand our studies of insect-plant interactions. We have many opportunities available in biochemistry, development, behavior, genetics, evolution, genomics, AI, and even pest control. Interested in any of these things? Reach out!
Very exciting opportunity to expand our studies of insect-plant interactions. We have many opportunities available in biochemistry, development, behavior, genetics, evolution, genomics, AI, and even pest control. Interested in any of these things? Reach out!
NEWS🎉 We’re excited to announce @hhmijanelia.bsky.social Investigator David Stern will join the Institute from Janelia Research Campus. His lab studies how aphids transform plants at the genetic level, uncovering secrets of #evolution & new strategies for pest control. @hhmi.org bit.ly/4np96Fb
Stowers Institute recruits renowned developmental and evolutionary…
David Stern, Ph.D., brings groundbreaking research on insect–plant interactions for next-generation pest control to the Institute.
bit.ly
September 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
It's official! We are moving to Stowers!
Very exciting opportunity to expand our studies of insect-plant interactions. We have many opportunities available in biochemistry, development, behavior, genetics, evolution, genomics, AI, and even pest control. Interested in any of these things? Reach out!
Very exciting opportunity to expand our studies of insect-plant interactions. We have many opportunities available in biochemistry, development, behavior, genetics, evolution, genomics, AI, and even pest control. Interested in any of these things? Reach out!
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
Plant Science Research Weekly -- Discovery and engineering of synthetic RLKs (Science) @shirasulab.bsky.social @brunongou.bsky.social @yasukadota.bsky.social @BrunoNgou (Summary by Mary Williams @PlantTeaching.bsky.social) buff.ly/JlJKjJE
#PlantaePSRW
#PlantaePSRW
Discovery and engineering of synthetic RLKs | Plantae
Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are abundant genes that have diversified and expanded throughout plant evolution, with most plants having hundreds or more RLKs. In this exciting new paper, Ngou et al.
buff.ly
September 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Plant Science Research Weekly -- Discovery and engineering of synthetic RLKs (Science) @shirasulab.bsky.social @brunongou.bsky.social @yasukadota.bsky.social @BrunoNgou (Summary by Mary Williams @PlantTeaching.bsky.social) buff.ly/JlJKjJE
#PlantaePSRW
#PlantaePSRW
Reposted by Ken Shirasu
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...