608: Epigenetic control of plant development
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Warwick HRI
Abstract
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Technical Summary
Most aspects of plant development are under epigenetic control, that is, under the control of heritable changes in gene expression that are not associated with changes in DNA sequence. My group is studying the molecular basis of this epigenetic control and its impact on plant development by dissecting the role that DNA methylation, chromatin modifications and non-coding RNAs play in directing relevant gene regulation at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. We are particularly interested in understanding how the unique combination of genetic and epigenetic information is passed on from each parent and thus have a major impact on plant performance. This analysis may provide pivotal information about how novel beneficial allelic combinations in certain hybrids contribute to heterotic phenotypic effects, or hybrid vigor, and thus improved crop performance.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
Publications
Ingram G
(2015)
Peptide signalling during angiosperm seed development.
in Journal of experimental botany
Tesfaye M
(2013)
Spatio-temporal expression patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula defensin-like genes.
in PloS one
| Description | We have found evidence for the maternal control of gene expression in plants. |
| Exploitation Route | Findings were critical to secure external funding and to establish collaborations with EU researchers |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
| URL | http://www.plantcell.org/content/24/6/2257.long |
| Description | Our findings have been used to develop intellectual property rights by an industrial collaborator |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | UK-Japan Partnership Award |
| Amount | £42,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P02601X/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 05/2021 |