DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This program represents a uniquely detailed analysis
of the interaction of the environment with plant growth, made possible
only by the combination of expertise and skills of the partners within
a network. The programme is subdivided into integrated work-packages
assigning tasks to all partners. A major task is analysis of the contribution
of genotype and environment to growth under both normal and limiting
conditions, and will make use of the availability of polyploids and
a wide range of ecotypes in Arabidopsis. This analysis combines the
development and application of novel kinematic growth measurement
procedures with genomic approaches that will define gene expression
profiles and protein profiles for different genotypes in various limiting
conditions. In parallel, specific pairwise comparisons of normal plants
with plants with enhanced vigour caused by environmental or genotypic
changes will allow direct identification of vigour-related genes and
biochemical pathways. This will utilise integrated RNA, protein and
metabolic profiling analysis. All data will be built into a central
database providing a unique resource for understanding the responses
of plants to their environment. Directed molecular approaches will
be used to identify by homology potential signalling and signal transduction
components, including sugar signalling and hormone responses likely
to be candidates for mediating growth responses. This directed analysis
will be combined with the results of growth and vigour studies to
generate candidate master regulatory genes and pathways. These will
be manipulated in transgenic Arabidopsis (up and down regulation)
to confirm their involvement. This analysis will utilise novel in
vivo reporters of growth and hormone activity, as well as the kinematic
facility. Validated candidate genes will be cloned from rapeseed (oil
seed rape). The rapeseed genes will be mapped to relative to known
QTLs for vigour, growth or yield. The potential for using the information
for marker-assisted breeding will be assessed together with transgenic
rapeseed and rice with altered expression of the genes.
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