Kateryna Zhalnina
Biologist Research Scientist
Research Interests
The role of microorganisms in the rhizosphere priming of soil organic matter decomposition
I am interested in physiological, biochemical and evolutionary aspects of plant-microbial interactions and how these interactions mediate biogeochemical cycles. Plant-soil-microbial crosstalk is operated through complex nutrient exchanges, where plant-released exudates can be consumed by rhizosphere communities. This can mediate microbial metabolism triggering microbial response that may be involved in nutrient stabilization/destabilization in soils – rhizosphere priming. I am using genomic analysis of a rhizosphere community to define metabolic traits that outline mutualistic relationships between microorganisms and plants in soil (e.g. extracellular enzymes, nutrient transporters). I am also using exometabolomic analysis and profiling of exoenzymes activities to evaluate what microbes uptake from the plant-exuded compounds, and how they respond to the plant exudation through release of metabolites and changing exoenzymatic activities.
Recent Publications
Related News
Plants Use Signaling Molecules to Fine-tune Their Microbiomes
Researchers have identified several key compounds that shape the microbial communities dwelling around plant roots and soil, opening up the possibility for agricultural strategies that precisely and sustainably improve plant health and crop yields. One such compound was serotonin, a signaling molecule commonly known for its role in mood regulation. In this context, serotonin was found to enhance plant growth and shape microbial communities living around plant roots under nutrient-rich conditions.
Biosciences FY25 LDRD Projects
The projects of 23 Biosciences Area scientists and engineers received funding through the FY25 Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program.
EcoFAB: A Tool for Combating Climate Change and Training the Next Generation
Fabricated ecosystems—EcoFABs—are plastic, takeout box–sized growth chambers developed at Berkeley Lab to be a standardized and reproducible platform for conducting experiments on model plants and the microbes that live around their roots. A greater understanding of how plants and microbes work together to store vast amounts of atmospheric carbon in the soil will help in the design of better bioenergy crops for the fight against climate change.
