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Mechanisms of synthesis of starch polymers

Reference	BBS/E/J/00001105
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Alison Smith
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	7,901
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	30/06/1998
Duration	15 months

Abstract

In this project, we using the bacterium E. coli as a simple, easily manipulated system in which to model the process of starch synthesis in higher plants. Expression in E. coli of genes encoding plant starch synthases has allowed the kinetic properties and structure-function relationships of these enzymes to be studied. Analysis of the types of glucans synthesised under various conditions by enzymes from the bacterium has been compared with the products of the same enzymes in systems reconstituted from the plant. This provides information about the roles of the enzymes in determining starch structure in the plant. Results from these experiments may be used to predict ways in which the structure of starch in crop plants can be altered through manipulation of genes encoding starch synthesising enzymes to provide improved raw materials for industry.

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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