The role of plant hormones in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. The vast majority of plant species can form a beneficial symbiosis with specialised soil fungi, an association that can enhance the uptake of nutrients from the soil, improve tolerance to drought and disease and minimise soil erosion. An understanding of how plants establish and regulate this important symbiosis has the potential to contribute to the development of productive and sustainable farming systems by making efficient use o ....The role of plant hormones in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. The vast majority of plant species can form a beneficial symbiosis with specialised soil fungi, an association that can enhance the uptake of nutrients from the soil, improve tolerance to drought and disease and minimise soil erosion. An understanding of how plants establish and regulate this important symbiosis has the potential to contribute to the development of productive and sustainable farming systems by making efficient use of the limited water resources, reducing soil erosion, reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilisers and producing more nutritious fruits, vegetables and grains.Read moreRead less
Systemic control of nodule proliferation. We aim to clone and characterize the functions of the supernodulation (NTS-1) locus of soybean using positional cloning and functional genomics approaches. Supernodulation fascinatingly results from a mutant Nts-1 gene functioning in the shoot, although the phenotype is expressed as excessive nodule proliferation in the root. The cloned gene will be used to monitor expression changes after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium, treatment with nitrate, nod-fac ....Systemic control of nodule proliferation. We aim to clone and characterize the functions of the supernodulation (NTS-1) locus of soybean using positional cloning and functional genomics approaches. Supernodulation fascinatingly results from a mutant Nts-1 gene functioning in the shoot, although the phenotype is expressed as excessive nodule proliferation in the root. The cloned gene will be used to monitor expression changes after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium, treatment with nitrate, nod-factor, xylem exudates and phytohormones. We will use RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation and reporter gene expression in transgenic plants. Microarray analysis of soybean ESTs (4200 arrayed) will analyse concurrent gene expression changes in both root and shoot.Read moreRead less
Genetic and molecular analysis of long-distance gene silencing in Arabidopsis. Gene silencing is a surveillance mechanism in plants and animals to ensure that all genes are switched on or off at the right time. It is also a defence mechanism against viruses. Perturbation of gene silencing can be a cause of genetic diseases, and conversely, gene silencing has immense potential as a therapeutic tool for correcting genetic diseases and curing viral diseases. When silencing is triggered against a ge ....Genetic and molecular analysis of long-distance gene silencing in Arabidopsis. Gene silencing is a surveillance mechanism in plants and animals to ensure that all genes are switched on or off at the right time. It is also a defence mechanism against viruses. Perturbation of gene silencing can be a cause of genetic diseases, and conversely, gene silencing has immense potential as a therapeutic tool for correcting genetic diseases and curing viral diseases. When silencing is triggered against a gene or virus in plants, genetic signals are transmitted throughout the organism to systemically switch off the specific gene or virus. Expected long-term national/community benefits from understanding gene silencing are wide-ranging, from improved crops through to drugs and gene therapy.Read moreRead less