Léa Monge Waleryszak, PhD
Plant - Microorganism Molecular Interactions
I am LMW,
Passionate about effectors virulence mechanisms, I specialized in protein-protein interactions at the Laboratory of Plants-Microbes-Environment Interactions in Toulouse (France). My path has always been shaped by curiosity, hoping to continuously learn and keep being amazed by the sophistication of molecular interactions within biological systems. I believe we achieve our best work when genuinely excited about our research and supported by truly considerate colleagues and mentors.
Initially, I studied symbiotic interactions between legumes and nodule forming bacteria. In this context, I focused on the roles of an homeodomain-containing transcription factor and a long non coding RNA in nodule organogenesis in the Rhizobium-Medicago system, in Andreas Niebel group.
I then joined Laurent Deslandes group to study phytopathogenic interactions. There I developed my PhD project aiming to widen our view on effectors virulence functions. To that end, I used an in planta proximity labelling approach to investigate the proximal proteome of PopP2 (Ralstonia) and XopJ6 (Xanthomonas) in the host. This project provided promising candidates as specific or shared targets of the two effectors and shed light on the diversity of host functions possibly subverted by these YopJ effectors. Paper(s) regarding these findings will be submitted shortly. Based on other methods, we revealed a new virulence strategy of PopP2 involving components of chromatin-remodelling complexes. The corresponding paper was published in May 2025.
It was a great joy to defend my PhD the same year and I am now looking forward to tackling new exciting projects.
I consider of high importance the transfer of scientific knowledge, whether it is through direct collaborations, attending scientific congresses, events designed to communicate with the general public, or through supervising students.
During my PhD, I was a member of the LIPME-LRSV Young Scientists Association where we discussed new findings, shared tips about technics and coached freshly graduated MSc students for the SEVAB PhD fellowship competition.
Additionally, I was a commissioned CNRS corresponding agent for equality throughout my PhD. As corresponding agents for equality, we promote equality, diversity and inclusion in academic research with the goal of providing a safe and healthy work environment in which we can all thrive.