The work performed during the project can be briefly clustered into three thematic sections: (1) poinsettia, (2) other ornamental plants, and (3) apple.
The flavonoid pathway leading to the pigment formation in poinsettia was studied in detail. In summary, the work on poinsettia resulted in a patent application, six peer-reviewed publications (2 accepted, 4 in the pipeline, as at May 2020) and 8 conference contributions. The results were further disseminated to the interested public via two Wikipedia chapters and on three public science fares.
Genes involved in the formation of yellow 6’-deoxychalcone and flavonol pigments were isolated, characterized and used for plant transformation. The biochemical background for orange petunia flower colour was unraveled and a major contribution was made to the elucidation of the case of the undeclared genetically engineered commercial orange petunia and to the establishment of a method for the event-specific detection of the transformation event.
In summary, the work on other ornamental plants resulted in eight peer reviewed publications (3 accepted, 1 submitted, 4 in the pipeline, as at May 2020) and 9 conference contributions. The results were further disseminated to the interested public via two Wikipedia chapters and on three public science fares (European Researcher’s Night 2016 and 2018, I²c Networking Friday 2018 -Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summit of TU Wien).
The work on apple concentrated on the dependence of colour and disease resistance on polyphenol profiles. In summary, the work on apple resulted in four peer reviewed publications (all in preparation, as at May 2020) and 3 conference contributions. The results were further disseminated to the interested public via a Wikipedia chapter and on three public science fares (Bavarian Centre of Pomology and Fruit Breeding Open days 2017, Open Days of TUM 2018, European Researchers Night 2019).
Further facts and figures: Additionally, four scientific schools (plant breeding, bioinformatics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and horticulture), four transferable skills seminars (research management, business management, personal management and career development) and nine network wide meetings were organized. Also, FlowerPower was represented at twelve conferences and seminars, as well as at eleven open days and other outreach events. FlowerPower ESRs also authored six Wikipedia articles. All ESRs are expected to complete and defend their respective dissertations by the end of 2020. FlowerPower ESRs won two prizes, Benjamin Walliser in the frame of the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association contest on digital teaching, and Martina Kolarek for her poster presentation at the International Conference on Polyphenols 2018 in Madison, USA.
