Elucidation of a gene regulatory network for photosynthesis in grasses - AfS, ENWW

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Department Name: Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP

Abstract

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Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
BB/M011224/1 30/09/2015 31/03/2024
1810127 Studentship BB/M011224/1 30/09/2015 29/09/2019
 
Description The genetic regulation of photosynthesis was investigated. Initially, phylogenetics was used to infer a gene regulatory network that regulates C3 photosynthesis in rice. This revealed that, compared to the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, as much as 81% of this network was unresolved in grasses. Gene expression data were analysed by correlational and machine learning approaches to fill in gaps in this rice network. Combined with the phylogenetic analysis, these approaches enabled the assembly of a grass regulatory network for photosynthesis and facilitated exploration of the regulation of photosynthesis in maize. Through de-etiolation experiments it was found that different wavelengths of light differentially activated chloroplast maturation networks in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. This provided evidence that subdivision of light signalling networks is a key component of cellular partitioning of C4 photosynthesis in maize.
Exploitation Route The gene regulatory network for photosynthesis in cereals will form the basis of future research on individual regulators of photosynthesis. For example, lists of candidate genetic regulators of photosynthesis will be further interrogated experimentally.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Energy

 
Description Dean of graduates funding
Amount £490 (GBP)
Organisation University of Oxford 
Department Pembroke College Oxford
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2017 
End 11/2017
 
Title RNA-seq of etiolated 9 day old maize seedling second leaves after exposure to either blue, red or no light conditions for three hours 
Description Characterisation of the differences in transcript abundance between maize leaves that have been exposed to blue, red, or no light: B73 maize seeds were planted and grown in the dark for 9 days. Etiolated second leaves were clamped 5 cm from the leaf tip by a Licor 6800 device equipped with a multi-phase flash fluorometer head, which administered 100 µmol m-2s-1 of either 100% red or 100% blue light. The Licor was configured with flow rate 500 µmol s?¹, 400 µmol mol?¹ CO2, leaf temperature 28°C and 60% humidity. Fluorescence and gas exchange were measured every 15 minutes for 3 hours. Leaf samples were collected between 12.30am-2pm each day. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This data was analysed and contributed to the findings described in Hendron & Kelly (2020) Plant Physiol. 
URL https://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/experiments/E-MTAB-7200/