Descripción del proyecto
Comprender la repercusión de los genes en el crecimiento del tallo para mejorar el rendimiento de las cosechas
La altura del tallo y la estructura de la inflorescencia son factores esenciales para el rendimiento de las cosechas. Se requiere un conocimiento fundamental de cómo los genes controlan el crecimiento del tallo para desarrollar herramientas genéticas más precisas a fin de aumentar la productividad de las plantas modificando su altura y forma. Con el objetivo de mejorar el rendimiento de las cosechas, se han utilizado ampliamente mutaciones que inducen la reducción del crecimiento del tallo, aunque van acompañadas de efectos secundarios no deseados. El objetivo del proyecto SOS-CROPS, financiado con fondos europeos, es aportar nueva información sobre el modo en que el gen homeobox 1 de la «Arabidopsis thaliana» (ATH1) afecta al desarrollo del tallo y utilizar estos datos para desarrollar nuevas formas de modificar la altura de las plantas con menos efectos secundarios no deseados.
Objetivo
Crop yield depends in a large part on stem height and inflorescence structure. Mutations that reduce stem growth have been used widely to improve crop yields but also have undesired side effects, for example during seed formation. In spite of its importance, stem development is poorly understood. Fundamental knowledge of how genes control stem growth is required to develop more precise genetic tools to increase plant productivity by modifying plant height and shape.
The ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX1 (ATH1) gene inhibits stem development but is rapidly downregulated prior to the floral transition to allow elongation of the inflorescence stem. Data from the host lab indicate that ATH1 integrates two of the key hormonal signals that control stem growth: gibberellin (GA) and brassinosteroid (BR). My objectives are to reveal the mode of action of ATH1 and use this knowledge to develop new ways of modifying plant height with fewer undesired side-effects. I will reveal how ATH1 influences GA and BR signalling, understand molecular mechanisms of ATH1 action and identify cis-regulatory mutations that result in dwarf plants due to persistent ATH1 expression after flowering. Such mutations would be particularly useful for two reasons: first, regulatory mutations have been selected repeatedly in evolution and crop improvement because they allow subtle changes in gene expression, with fewer pleiotropic effects. Second, this type of mutation would be expected to be dominant and especially useful in polyploid crops.
In addition to addressing a fundamental problem with practical use, this work will give me cutting edge training in plant developmental genetics and quantitative phenotyping at cellular and macroscopic levels. At the same time, the project will benefit from my knowledge of plant hormonal signalling and extensive experience in genome editing. More broadly, the work will provide me with a valuable network on international contacts and skills for my future career.
Ámbito científico
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutation
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinador
NR4 7UH Norwich
Reino Unido