Coordinated Photoreceptor Engineering for Improved Biomass Production

Lead Research Organisation: John Innes Centre
Department Name: Crop Genetics

Abstract

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Technical Summary

The ability to enhance photosynthetic capacity remains a recognised bottleneck to improving plant productivity. Phototropin receptor kinases (phot1 and phot2) play an important role in this regard as they coordinate multiple light-capturing processes that serve to maximise photosynthetic efficiency and promote growth. However, little effort has been made to target these pathways for improved biomass production. Our aims are (1) to optimise photocycle engineering of phot1 and phot2 in Arabidopsis with the goal of better synchronising their activities for gains in photosynthetic performance over a wider range of light conditions (2) apply these design principles to barley (Hordeum vulgrae) to increase productivity (3) establish a structural and functional blueprint for altering phot action that will be widely applicable across plant species and (4) capitalise on our photoreceptor engineering progress by using a novel, desensitised phot mutant background for genetic suppressor screening to identify new signalling components. This proposal integrates both fundamental and applied research that will expand our understanding of phototropin receptor kinase signalling and harness key optogenetic principles (tuning optical sensitivity for gain of function) to establish photoreceptor engineering as a bona fide means to modulate yield for agronomic gain. It builds on our recent success with improving biomass production in Arabidopsis by targeting phototropin receptors for optogenetic manipulation. The proposal draws on established methodologies to expand the array of phototropin variants with altered photochemical properties and identify the most promising of these prior to their use in Arabidopsis and barley. Given the high degree of sequence conservation between higher plant phototropins, the design principles established here should extend to other agronomically important plant species and further expand the array of phototropin-based modules for optogenetic applications.

Planned Impact

This proposal combines practical and fundamental research that is central to concepts emerging from the fields of plant photobiology and optogenetics. The research will stimulate new thinking around ways to improve crop yield and offers new strategies to manipulate plant biomass through alterations in photosynthetic performance. The research therefore has potential to create a new engineering framework for crop improvement that could, in the long-term, benefit farmers, consumers and the environment and contribute to the economic competitiveness of the UK. Commercial organisations interested in implementing new approaches to manipulate plant growth, particularly by altering processes associated with regulating photosynthetic efficiency will also benefit in the longer term. Likewise, these organisations together with fundamental researcher will benefit from the design principles for fine tuning the action of LOV-based optogenetic tools. Additional impact is proposed through summer studentships to develop and implement outreach resources designed to engage the general public and school pupils in key concepts of photobiology, plant science and sustainability. Likewise, the staff assigned to the project will obtain knowledge and expertise that can be applied in related research fields or more widely in the commercial or public sectors. Career progression and training of the staff will also benefit directly from the collaborative and inter-disciplinary nature of the project. Hence, the research will feed directly into higher education training programmes. Finally, the research will contribute to UK competitiveness and quality of life through agro-industrial applications. The PI and Co-Is have established links with industrial/technology transfer partners and research institutes to take advantage of development arising from the research.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description A set of tissue specific promoters for epidermal and guard cell specific expression was characterised for both barley and Brassica crops.
Exploitation Route The promoter data will be of use to the research community and could save a lot of time identifying suitable tissue specific promoters.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

 
Description Member of the Food Standards Agency Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and their PGT sub-group. Ongoing.
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Contribution to the regulatory framework for products of precision breeding technologies
 
Description Precision Breeding Bill - Evidence provided during the committee stage
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Discussions with MPs, Members of the House of Lords, Defra and the Food Standards Agency have helped to inform the debates on the Precision Breeding Bill.
 
Description Took part in workshop with ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency to further programme on food security and climate change
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Training at PlantEd Transformation and Genome Editing Training School
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Enabled international participants to undertake genome editing in their home countries to improve crop development and food security.
 
Title Characterised tissue specific promoters 
Description Promoter::GUS lines for barley and Brassica (GC - guard cell, E - epidermal) In Brassica: -pKST1 (GC), pGC1 (GC), pMYB60 (GC), pAtML1 (E), pCER6 (E) and pGstA+WIR1 (E) expressed GUS in T0 leaves. Some of these promoters (pKST1, pGC1 and pAtML1) also expressed in brassica T1 homozygous lines, after ~7 hours of GUS staining. In barley: -Promoters that expressed GUS in guard cells and epidermal cells were pCST1 and pGstA+WIR1, respectively in T0 transgenics. pSNAC1 promoters showed mixed results. 
Type Of Material Biological samples 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Will shortly be prepared for publication 
 
Description University of Glasgow 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A new collaborative project was established with University of Glasgow where we will provide barley transformation and genome editing expertise.
Collaborator Contribution Our partners provide expertise in photoreceptor engineering. This expertise will be used to inform the design and assembly of constructs for barley transformation with the aim of increasing plant biomass.
Impact Project to start this year.
Start Year 2021
 
Description ADHB strategic farmers group Scotland (Penny Hundleby) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact ADHB strategic farmers group Scotland - on-line talk on 'Genome Editing potential for pest control'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Church Farm Open day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Open day at our field trial station
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Farming Today Interview Penny Hundleby 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview on 'New plans for gene editing'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Interview for ITN news at 10 on Genome Editing 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interview and filming at JIC for ITN News at 10 covering crop genome editing
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation at JIC Breeders Day on Genome editing 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presentation on genome editing to plant breeders, growers, agri-industries to raise awareness and understand challenges.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023