Award details

Molecular analysis and manipulation of higher order regulatory mechanisms controlling polyphenolic metabolism in forage crops

Reference	BBS/E/G/00003119
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Mark P Robbins
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res
Department	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	611,824
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2003
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Phenolic and polyphenolic end products are of critical value in higher plants. In food crops the tissue-specific expression of these pathways contributes to high value characteristics such as flavour and texture. In forage species the digestibility and quality of forage crops is conditioned by phenolic content. Specific biotechnological targets include the modification of cell wall phenolics in grasses for enhanced digestibility and the transactivation of condensed tannin biosynthesis in white clover with the aim of reducing pasture bloat and increasing protein protection when crops are fed to ruminant livestock. The aim of this work is to analyse the biosynthesis and higher order regulation of phenolic end products in forage species. Approaches will be based upon the use of transgenic plants and information derived regarding the control of other metabolic pathways. We have identified four main targets: 1. To generate transgenic Lotus plants with genetic modified condensed tannin (CT) levels and structures. 2. To screen and characterise CT mutants in Lotus japonicus. 3. To develop strategies for the cloning of late structural and regulatory genes of the CT pathway from Lotus species and to develop methods for the functional analysis of such genes in Lotus, Arabidopsis and white clover. 4. To initiate work on developing novel strategies for the genetic modification of phenolic acids, lignins and related cellular architecture in forage grasses.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
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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