Award details

Targeted epigenetic modification and silencing of plant genes without the use of transgenesis

Reference	BB/C510791/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Hugh Dickinson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Oxford
Department	Plant Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	96,360
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/07/2004
End date	30/11/2005
Duration	17 months

Abstract

Many aspects of the plant phenotype are not determined by the DNA nucleotide sequence, but rather by superimposed 'epigenetic' code. This epigenetic code determines both how the DNA strand is organised into chromosomes and how many genes are expressed. It is complex, unlike the DNA code, as it comprises several different but interconnected components including 1) chemical modifications to DNA, 2) DNA-binding proteins and 3) RNA molecules. Also unlike the genetic sequence, the associated epigenetic factors are flexible and some can change during the life of an organism. Indeed, they appear critical to determining normal growth and development, for example in response to changing environments. Since epigenetic processes regulate important aspects of both growth and development in plants, modification of the epigenetic code in a targeted fashion would make it possible to exert control over the expression of genes and characteristics without permanently altering the nucleotide sequence through transgenes and genetic modification (GM). In the proposed research, we aim to prove the concept that both transgenes and endogenous sequences can be silenced by modifying their epigenetic code. Using a novel vector system, we propose to demonstrate that targeted, stable changes to the expression of both a transgenic reporter construct (transgene) and a commercially significant endogenous gene can be induced.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Follow-On Fund (FOF) [2004-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search