Objectif
MANIPULATION OF PLANT BEHAVIOUR BY GENE TRANSFER DEPENDS UPON KNOWING HOW THE EXPRESSION OF GENES IS CONTROLLED, AS WELL AS IDENTIFYING THE ACTION OF PARTICULAR GENES.
THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES :
- UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISMS OF THE CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION IN PLANTS;
- OBTAINING A RANGE OF CONTROL SEQUENCES THAT CAN BE USED TO DIRECT THE EXPRESSION OF CERTAIN STRUCTURAL GENES, INCLUDING THOSE REGULATING PLANT DEVELOPMENT;
ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE GENETIC MANIPULATION OF CROP PLANTS, AND PROGRESS IN THAT ENTIRE RESEARCH AREA WILL BE LIMITED BY THE POSSIBILITIES TO HAVE THEM FULFILLED.
The mechanisms controlling gene expression in plants were investigated. Specifically, 4 important cereal seed protein genes and 3 differentially regulated genes coding for glutamine synthetase (a key enzyme in the assimilation of nitrogen by plants) from French bean were examined.
The control regions of 4 cereal seed protein genes, 3 differentially expressed glutamine synthetase genes and the T-cyt gene of A tumefaciens were characterized.
Genes related to plant growth and development were isolated from potato, barley, maize and tobacco, including genes that are activated by the plant growth regulating auxins and cytokinins (plant hormones) as well as genes that are developmentally controlled in maize and barley.
Agrobacterium Ri and Ti T-deoxyribonucleic acid (T-DNA) genes were found to give a spectrum of changes in growth and development in transgenic potato, including effects on the development of root systems. The natural Agrobacterium gene transfer system was studied in detail and genes determining host range and efficiency of transfer were characterized. Gene transfer techniques were also developed for rice.
THE WORK WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC AIMS :
- ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTROL REGIONS OF GENES (MAINLY THE LABORATORY OF HARPENDEN);
- DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMS FOR THE RAPID FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PUTATIVE CONTROL REGIONS (BOTH LABORATORIES);
- IDENTIFICATION AND CHARATERIZATION OF GENES INVOLVED IN PLANT GROWTH REGULATION (BOTH LABORATORIES).
UPSTREAM SEQUENCES OF IDENTIFIED GENES WILL BE ISOLATED AND ANALYZED BOTH FROM STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL POINTS OF VIEW. SYSTEMS FOR THE STUDY OF TRANSIENT EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMED GENES IN PROTOPLASTS AND/OR CELLS WILL BE DEVELOPED.
THE EFFECT OF TI- AND RI-PLASMIDS DERIVED ONC GENES ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF TRANSFORMED ENTITIES WILL BE STUDIED, AND GENES INVOLVED IN REGULATION OF GROWTH, WHICH THE PLANT ITSELF HARBOURS, WILL BE SEARCHED AND CHARATERIZED.
Champ scientifique
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisfunctional analysis
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedscereals
Programme(s)
Thème(s)
Data not availableAppel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinateur
2300 RA LEIDEN
Pays-Bas