Description du projet
Comprendre l’incidence des gènes sur la croissance des tiges en vue d’améliorer le rendement des cultures
La hauteur de tige et la structure de l’inflorescence sont des facteurs essentiels pour le rendement de la culture. Il est nécessaire d’acquérir les connaissances fondamentales sur la manière dont les gènes contrôlent la croissance des tiges afin d’élaborer des outils génétiques plus précis qui permettraient d’accroitre la productivité des plantes en modifiant leur hauteur et leur forme. Si les mutations qui favorisent une réduction de la croissance des tiges sont très utilisées afin d’améliorer le rendement des cultures, elles s’accompagnent toutefois d’effets secondaires indésirables. Le projet SOS-CROPS, financé par l’UE, vise à mettre en lumière l’incidence du gène homéobox 1 (ATH1) d’Arabidopsis thaliana sur le développement des tiges et à utiliser ces connaissances pour concevoir de nouvelles façons de modifier la hauteur des plantes qui présentent moins d’effets secondaires indésirables.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutation
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinateur
NR4 7UH Norwich
Royaume-Uni