Project Number: 5335-21000-032-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 29, 2009
End Date: Apr 14, 2014

Objective:
Determine the molecular mechanisms by which plants perceive and respond to developmental, biotic and abiotic signals throughout the life cycle to enhance the quality and production efficiency of agriculturally important crops.

Approach:
A combination of modern molecular, genetic, genomic, proteomic and bioinformatic approaches will be used to address this multifaceted problem. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying signaling components, regulatory genes and transcriptional networks involved in controlling plant responses to developmental, biotic and abiotic signals. Genes that respond to light under control of the phytochrome photosensory system will be identified and the regulatory mechanisms defined. Genes involved in regulating the circadian clock will be identified and functionally defined. Genes controlling vegetative and reproductive development will be identified and characterized. Plant hormone function in mediating growth and developmental responses will be explored. Genes involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic challenges will be identified and characterized. On an ongoing basis, cutting-edge strategies and technologies in areas such as targeted reverse-genetic gene disruption, high-density microarray analysis, and biocomputational approaches, will be assimilated and will be identified and characterized.