2009 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1) Screen for potential molecular targets within signal transduction pathways that affect well-defined phases of leafy spurge growth and development, and. 2)use genetic and/or chemical manipulation to analyze and confirm the importance of identified targets. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Since well-defined phases of dormancy impact leafy spurge growth and development and visa-versa, high-density, Euphorbiaceae-specific microarrays will be used to screen various tissues during well-defined phases of growth, development, and dormancy. Data obtained through bioinformatic analysis will be reviewed to identify potential molecular targets within signal transduction pathways that hold the most potential for manipulating well-defined phases of growth, development, and dormancy. Real-time PCR will be used to confirm and quantify data on targets identified by screening and bioinformatic analysis. Finally, leafy spurge transformation systems and chemical treatments will be used to manipulate expression of candidate genes (targets) to determine phenotypic characteristics and the effects on well-defined phases of growth and development. 3.Progress Report NDSU has successfully worked with the USDA-ARS, BRL, in Fargo, ND to incorporate Euphorbiaceae-specific microarrays and RT-PCR analysis into identifying transcript profiles associated with well-defined transitional phases of dormancy and flowering competence in crown buds of leafy spurge under controlled environmental conditions (photoperiod and temperature), and during dehydration stress. The data obtained from the microarray studies has further been analyzed by sophisticated bioinformatics programs to identify genetic pathways and molecular expression targets of interest. Results from the dehydration study were presented at the 2009 Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, and the results from the study on environmentally-induced transitions in well-defined phases of dormancy and flowering competence were presented as an invited oral presentation at the 4th International Symposium on Plant Dormancy. An invited manuscript related to the results of the dormancy/flowering study and Symposium Presentation is in preparation for a Special Issue on Plant Dormancy to be published in Plant Molecular Biology. ADODR monitoring includes daily on-site discussions via meetings, phone calls, e-mails.