Award details

201h: Characterise the physiological and molecular basis of plant response to UV-B.

Reference	BBS/E/H/00030024
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Soheila Mackerness
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Brian Thomas
Institution	University of Warwick
Department	Warwick HRI
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	41,384
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	24 months

Abstract

The research project is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of photosynthesis by UV-B radiation, using pea as a model system and focusing on the biosynthesis of Chlorophyll A/B binding protein, RUBISCO, and D1 polypeptide of PSII. As stratospheric ozone levels decrease, the level of terrestrial UV-B radiation will continue to rise. The objective of this programme is to identify the molecular and physiological effects of UV-B on plant growth and development. Experimental approaches include studies on the molecular and genetic basis of response to UV- B, and range from studies in controlled environments to studies of whole-plant responses under UV-B arrays in the field. This work is relevant to the major ASD theme of Plant Acclimatization to Environmental Stress or Resource Allocation and Stress in Plants. This project falls within the Plant and Microbial Sciences remit of basic and strategic research aimed at understanding and exploiting biological processes in plants and microbes through an integration of molecular, cellular and systems level of analysis and specifically within theme 81. The project involves interdisciplinary studies linking molecular biology, cell biology and crop physiology, and so addresses specific objectives of both the PMS and ASD programmes. Outputs would include a greater understanding of plant response to an important aspect of environmental change. New scientific information will be produced in the form of scientific papers. Genes identified in the UV-B response signalling pathway may be important in plant response to biotic stress. Exploitation may come from identifying components which contribute to UV-B susceptibility and using them as part of genotype selection strategies. The likelihood of cross- acclimatization between UV-B and biotic stress elements may form the basis of exploiting gene sequences from the UV-B signalling pathways to engineer plants with increased resistance to a range of biotic and environmental stresses.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
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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