Targeted analysis and structural identification of Plant Animal and Microbial Metabolites

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The requested equipment will be used in a number of diverse research projects at IGER to identify and quantify a wide range of plant, animal and microbial metabolites. Plant Metabolites 1.1 analysis of pleiotropic effects and default products in transgenic and mutant legumes. 1.2 Manipulation of the levels of cell wall phenolics in grasses. 1.3 Protein protection mechanisms in forage legumes. 1.4 Bioactivity of extracts from new crops. 1.5 Gene expression of myb transcription factors and metabolic response of Lotus japonicus to ozone pollution. 1.6 Functional genomics in maize. Animal Metabolites 2.1 Identifying novel markers of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy diseases in cattle, and scrapie in sheep, in the blood of ruminant animals. 2.2 Influences of recording plant metabolites on plant/animal interactions. 2.3 Analysing the conversion of red clover isoflavonoids to oestrogens in the ruminant animal. Microbial metabolites 3.1 Transformations of organic nitrogen in bio-resources. 3.2 understanding and exploiting plant-microbe interactions in the rumen. Support for this package will dramatically improve the capability and efficiency of metabolite profiling, compound identification and functional genomic research at IGER, the equipment will allow all IGER staff access and training to equipment to fulfil the pressing requirements for conventional compound characterisation, sample throughput and metabolite profiling. The requested equipment will also provide a collaborative resource for Welsh SMEs working in the bioproducts area, and will allow IGER to attract additional contract income. Industrial funding is provided to support 50 per cent of the costs.