Engineering the Sym pathway of cereals for recognition of nitrogen fixing bacteria
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: Contracts Office
Abstract
We will initiate the first steps towards the transfer of biological nitrogen fixation to cereals, through engineering nodulation signalling. This represents a complex problem. However, the knowledge gained in legumes reveals that much of the machinery necessary for nodulation signalling are present in cereals. In this proposal we will attempt to engineer the symbiosis (Sym) signalling pathway of cereals to allow recognition of rhizobial bacteria and initiation of nodule organogenesis. The tools generated in legumes, in particular the gain of function mutations, allows the isolated study of the component parts of these signalling processes: Nod factor activation of calcium oscillations, calcium activation of gene expression and cytokinin induction of cell division. This work will allow us to assess what the minimal requirements are for Nod factor induction of the Sym pathway and whether Sym pathway engineering is sufficient for nodule organogenesis. The objectives of the proposal are:
1.Define the innate capability of cereals to perceive lipo-chito oligosaccharides.
2.Engineer cereals for the perception of Nod factor. 3.Engineer cereals for CCaMK induced nodulation gene expression. 4.Engineer cereals for cytokinin activation of nodule organogenesis.
1.Define the innate capability of cereals to perceive lipo-chito oligosaccharides.
2.Engineer cereals for the perception of Nod factor. 3.Engineer cereals for CCaMK induced nodulation gene expression. 4.Engineer cereals for cytokinin activation of nodule organogenesis.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Giles Oldroyd (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Sun J
(2015)
Activation of symbiosis signaling by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in legumes and rice.
in The Plant cell
Delaux PM
(2015)
Algal ancestor of land plants was preadapted for symbiosis.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Granqvist E
(2015)
Bacterial-induced calcium oscillations are common to nitrogen-fixing associations of nodulating legumes and nonlegumes.
in The New phytologist
Charpentier M
(2016)
Nuclear-localized cyclic nucleotide-gated channels mediate symbiotic calcium oscillations.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
Patron NJ
(2015)
Standards for plant synthetic biology: a common syntax for exchange of DNA parts.
in The New phytologist
Rogers C
(2014)
Synthetic biology approaches to engineering the nitrogen symbiosis in cereals.
in Journal of experimental botany
Zhang X
(2015)
The receptor kinase CERK1 has dual functions in symbiosis and immunity signalling.
in The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
Delaux PM
(2015)
Tracing the evolutionary path to nitrogen-fixing crops.
in Current opinion in plant biology
| Description | This is an international programme of research funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore the feasibility of engineering nitrogen-fixing maize for the benefit of small-holder farmers in Africa |
| Exploitation Route | This is a feasibility project. In this programme we identified the key components we need to engineer to achieve nitrogen-fixing cereals. The programme of research has been renewed for a further 5 years with additional funding provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| URL | https://www.ensa.ac.uk |
| Description | This is a feasibility study of the utility of our approach to engineering nitrogen-fixing cereals. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Amount | $17,500,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 11/2022 |