Objective This project aims to advance our fundamental molecular understanding of metal homeostasis in plants, enabling the rational design of bio-fortification and phytoremediation technologies. Nutritional zinc deficiency affects more than a third of the World’s population. Also, large areas of soils in industrialized nations are contaminated with high levels of chemically similar harmful metals such as lead and cadmium. Since plants are a major route for the entry of both essential and toxic non-essential trace elements into the food chain, a comprehensive molecular understanding of metal homeostasis networks governing trace element accumulation in plants is highly desirable. Following from recent progress in the field, the proposed project will tackle three selected central aspects of plant zinc homeostasis. The role of low-molecular weight chelators in subcellular partitioning of zinc will be addressed through biochemical analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana ZIF1, a vacuolar membrane protein required for zinc tolerance, through combined reverse genetics, biochemistry and recently developed sub-cellular fractionation techniques. A forward genetic screen will identify genes within regulatory pathways governing zinc homeostasis, based on unique tools and technical expertise previously generated by the applicant. Finally, molecular regulatory links within the metal homeostasis network will be revealed by combining genetic resources uniquely available in the host lab and from the applicant, and subjecting them to genome-wide transcript profiling. This research will not only advance metal homeostasis, but also our general understanding of regulation and signalling in plants. By integrating unique tools, resources and knowledge between the applicant, his laboratory of origin in Australia and the European host lab, tight collaborative links will be established, thus accelerating scientific progress and fostering continued scientific exchange between Europe and Australia. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsengineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationphytoremediationnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis Keywords Cell biology Functional biology Molecular biology Plant genetics Plant nutrition Plant physiology Soil remediation Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUM EU contribution € 169 250,31 Address UNIVERSITAETSSTRASSE 150 44801 Bochum Germany See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Angelika Ernst (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG Participation ended Germany EU contribution No data Address SEMINARSTRASSE 2 69117 Heidelberg See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Ute Krämer (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
