Functional analysis of genes of stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

During evolution, dehydration resistance mechanisms have been acquired by plants and contribute to their survival and colonization. Improving our understanding of the plant response to water deficit is indispensable at the present time for the improvement of crop plant productivity. The proposed research project has two main objectives. The first is to elucidate the biological function of the mitochondrial proteins LEA and HSP (late-embryogenesis abundant and heat-shock protein) using a reverse genetic approach in Arabidopsis thaliana; these proteins accumulate in dry seeds and vegetative tissues and prevent the negative effects of dessication. The second objective will be to identify, by forward genetics and positional cloning of mutant alleles, new genes that participate in the ABA signalling network. ABA is a hormone essential for stress responses. Selective screens previously carried out in the group have isolated two mutants affected in ABA response and water deficit, in particular during germination. These genes, like the LEA and HSP genes, represent potential candidates for agronomic applications in crops.

PhD subject IJPB 2010 from research group Abscisic acid and seed physiology