Award details

Biofortifying Brassica with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) for human health

Reference	BBS/E/C/00005034
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Christopher Rawlings
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Artem Lysenko
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	46,812
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2009
End date	30/09/2013
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Many UK adults consume insufficient calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) for adequate health. Dietary Ca and Mg intakes could be increased through crop biofortification. We recently identified for the first time, wide natural genetic variation, substantial heritability, and individual loci affecting leaf Ca and Mg concentration (leaf-Ca and Mg) in plants. We have an immediate and timely opportunity to resolve these loci and to understand their regulation for use in biofortification strategies using vegetable Brassica. The aim of this project is to characterise genes and gene networks regulating leaf-Ca and Mg using: (1) genomic sequence, new microarrays and mapping populations of Brassica for comparative and genetical genomics (eQTL); (2) novel TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) mutants of Brassica to test gene function in planta, using novel eQTL-targets and locus-specific paralogues of Type IA CAX cation transporters known to affect leaf Ca homeostasis in Arabidopsis. All data will curated in the public domain (via www.brassica.info) to enable marker-assisted selection for use in pre-breeding pipelines. We will use novel and existing gene targets to define regulatory gene networks controlling leaf-Ca and Mg using database integration (Ondex) and modelling techniques (Petri Net) under development in our laboratories. We will define genes, alleles, and their regulatory network architecture in the context of increasing industry-use of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) fertiliser. Ca(NO3)2 can improve Brassica crop quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the security of fertiliser storage.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Diet and Health, Plant Science, Systems Biology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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