Towards the Breeding of Climate Smart Crops - understanding plant acclimation to the environment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
If we are to feed the growing world population, then we need to breed crops that grow better. In particular, it has been shown that photosynthesis, the process at the base of all plant growth, could be made more efficient in crop plants. The aim of this project is to examine how photosynthesis is limited under different growth conditions, to identify potential bottlenecks in metabolism. Previously, we have shown that plants are able to optimise their growth for particular conditions, a process called acclimation. Mutants which are unable to acclimate have reduced yield under natural conditions. In this project you will use a combination plant physiology, systems biology and modelling to investigate how plants are able to acclimate to a range of light and temperature conditions. The impact of changing growth conditions on the proteome and metabolome will be examined using mass spectrometry. The impact of this on plant performance will be examined using plant physiology techniques. To understand how metabolism responds to different conditions, you will apply metabolic modelling. In this way, you will identify possible bottlenecks in metabolism which can be tested using genetic modification. This project would suit someone with a background in plant sciences or biochemistry willing to learn computational approaches and who is committed to addressing key challenges for society using the latest analytical approaches available.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011208/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1791932 | Studentship | BB/M011208/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2020 |
| Description | Both experimental and computational methods were used to enhance our current understanding of dynamic plant acclimation to changes in temperature. Most importantly, the enzyme cytosolic fumarase in Arabdiopsis was shown to play a critical role in both warm and cold temperature responses. Experimental data to support its role as fail safe (or "carbon dump") in fluctuating environmental conditions was provided. Computational methods were used to explain the mechanisms by which cytosolic fumarate may link to photosynthetic acclimation; some of the hypotheses generated by the computational works remain to be validated experimentally. |
| Exploitation Route | Further academic work on high temperature acclimation could help answer some of the unresolved questions, such as why the fum2 mutant Arabidopsis plants does not change a photosynthetic response to high temperature treatment. Further applications of the computational methods developed, such as the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis of metabolism could be expanded upon and applied to other species to study the concept of reliability in metabolism. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment |
| Description | British Science Week - BioDiscovery event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A stand was made as part of a science festival at Manchester Museum, a museum associated with The University of Manchester. Staff employed on this grant participated alongside students supported by BBSRC. The stand communicated scientific ideas underlying this research to an audience mainly of 12-18 year old school pupils |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Promoting good agricultural land management strategies in Malawi, Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This is an on-going project which resulted as a follow up from my PIPS placement in Malawi, whereby I am organizing workshops for small-holders in order to provide them with a basic access to science which allows them to determine their crop and soil health and to subsequently decide on the best possible land management strategies for optimizing crop growth. For this i received a highly commended award for outstanding public engagement initiative at the Better World Showcase 2019 from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |