Light regulation of gene expression and inter-tissue signalling

Gene regulation is at the core of many biological processes. This project aims to examine how light signals regulate genes at the tissue level to determine whole organism responses in plants. Using the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana and specific transgenic lines developed in the Casson laboratory, this project will use next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to interrogate light-dependent gene regulation at the tissue specific level. The project will examine both existing gene expression data and generate novel data sets for analysis with the aim of identifying tissue specific regulatory networks. A combination of molecular techniques including quantitative RT-PCR, reporter gene assays, Western blotting and mutant analysis will then examine the role of components of these networks in regulating light responses.