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Dissection of the metabolic grid of IAOx, a precursor for natural plant products and the plant hormone auxin

Cel

Cruciferous plants, which include the economically important Brassica vegetables and the model plant Arabidopsis, produce indole glucosinolates and indole alkaloids. These bioactive natural products are known to confer specific pest resistance to crucifer plants. For humans, the compounds are known as flavour compounds, cancer-preventive compounds, and biopesticides. Indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx) is an intermediate in biosynthesis of indole glucosinolates and indole alkaloids, and is a precursor for the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), that is essential in many aspects of plant growth and development, although its biosynthesis remains elusive, despite substantial efforts.

Recently, it was shown that camalexin (the indole alkaloid of Arabidopsis) was synthesized directly from IAOx, and that several aUhigh-auxina mutants in Arabidopsis obtained their phenotype due to blockage of the glucosinolate pathway downstream from IAOx. The emerging knowledge of IAOx metabolism has unravelled a new exciting area on the borderline between primary and secondary metabolism.

This project will combine bioinformatics with state-of-the-art technologies for gene discovery in the biosynthesis of IAA and camalexin, areas where Europe traditionally has been at the forefront. The inter- and multidisciplinary project is expected to generate biotechnological tools for improving plant resistance and performance, nutritional quality of plant-derived products, as well as for producing high-value compounds in microorganisms.

The project involves attraction of a top-class young Chinese scientist to an internationally leading Community lab, followed by a reintegration phase where the acquired high level scientific and managerial competence will be implemented to advance research in natural products, to build a future independent career, and serve as a basis for future collaboration between the two host organisations for mutual benefit of Europe and China.

Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

FP6-2004-MOBILITY-7
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Koordynator

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Wkład UE
Brak danych
Adres
Noerregade 10
KOBENHAVN
Dania

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