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DroughtResearch
GroupPhD research areas
2012
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The teams
Forward genetics: from phenotype to geneWe observe and analyse the characteristics of drought tolerance in wheat and barley
and seek to identify the genes responsible of the tolerance. The following projects have
been initiated:
Detailed physiological analysis ofdrought tolerant and intolerant wheat
lines under controlled environment
and field conditions
Genetic analysis of drought toleranceunder field and growth room
conditions in three large populations
of wheat Genetic dissection of root
development and architecture under
normal and drought conditions
Development of metabolite andtranscript profiles of parental lines
under water limited conditions
Reverse genetics: from gene to phenotypeWe seek to isolate gene sequences
important for conferring drought
tolerance from both model and crop
species. Cloned gene sequences are
introduced into our target crop
species by either biolistics (wheat) or
Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation (barley). Transgenic
plants are then assayed under
controlled and field conditions fordrought tolerance. Project areas
include:
Bioinformatics and the identificationof drought related gene sequences
Transcription factors and theregulation of drought-stress responses
Development of commercially viabledrought tolerant GM wheat and barley
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Our collaboratorsBBG University of Adelaide (South Australia)
DPI La Trobe University (Victoria)
INRA Clermont-Ferrand (France)
SCRI Dundee (Scotland)
IPK Gatersleben (Germany)
CIMMYT (Mexico)
Pioneer Hi-Bred International/DuPont (USA)
INRA Montpellier (France)
University of Bologna (Italy)
The techniques
Molecular biology
DNA and RNA extractions
PCRs and restriction digests
Transcript profiling by microarrays and
sequencing
Metabolite and protein profiling
Confocal microscopy
BAC library screening
BiotechnologyCloning
Biolistics andAgrobacterium-mediated plant
transformation
Fluorescent reporters (GFP, mCherry)
Bioinformatics
Plant Physiology
High throughput phenotyping by imaging
Chlorophyll content
Stomatal conductance
Photosynthesis
Plant and soil water potentials
Canopy temperature
Root and shoot anatomy
Root morphology
Genetics
QTL mapping
Molecular markers
Positional cloning
Marker assisted selection
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Potential PhD supervisors:
Dr Ute Baumann
Dr Omid Eini
Dr Delphine Fleury
Dr Chunyuan Huang
Dr Nataliya Kovalchuk
Prof. Peter Langridge
Dr Sergiy Lopato
Prof Diane Mather
Dr Boris Parent
Dr Bujun Shi
Dr Ryan Whitford
Adelaide node of the ACPFG at the Plant Genomics Centre
(Waite Campus, University of Adelaide)
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PhD projects:
Project title: Genetic and physiological characterization of tolerance to heat-
induced floret sterility in wheat
SUPERVISOR: Dr Nick Collins
CONTACTDETAILS:[email protected]
BACKGROUND
Brief periods of heat stress severely impact on wheat production, and this situation will worsen with
climate change. However, it is difficult for breeders to select for heat tolerance in the field, because
heat affects wheat in different ways depending on the growth stage, and because natural heat
events are unpredictable in severity and timing. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reproducible
growth chamber assays for heat tolerance that are relevant to the field, molecular markers linked to
genes controlling heat tolerance, or cloned heat tolerance genes for transformation breeding.
One type of heat damage is the floret sterility (decrease grain set) following heat events at around or
just before pollination. Anecdotal reports indicate that Australian durum wheat varieties are more
prone to this form of heat damage than bread wheats, however this difference needs to be formally
tested. Besides this, there is virtually nothing known about how much wheat genotypes naturally
vary for tolerance to heat-induced sterility effects.
AIMS
Use a growth chamber to characterize the precise developmental stages where durum andbread wheat are most sensitive to heat-induced sterility. Use this information to design
tolerance assays targeting sterility effects of heat.
Screen local and exotic durum and bread wheat varieties for variation in tolerance to heat-induced sterility.
Characterize the biological basis for the tolerance in various sources. Use new or established populations to map chromosome regions (QTLs) controlling variation
in tolerance.
Initiate positional cloning of heat tolerance genes via candidate genes.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED
Growth chamber assays for heat tolerance. Characterize tiller stages by examining developing spikes by microscopy (stage of meiosis or
development of female reproductive structures).
In vitro pollen viability/tube-growth assays. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements (Fv/Fm). SSR, DArT and SNP markers. Comparative mapping and sequence analysis for targeted marker generation and candidate
gene identification.
Gene transcript quantification and tissue-localization by qRT-PCR.
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REFERENCES
Barnabas B, Jager K, Feher A (2008). The effect of drought and heat stress on reproductive processes
in cereals. Plant, Cell and Environment 31:11-38.
Saini HS, Sedgley M, Aspinall D (1984). Developmental anatomy in wheat of male sterility induced byheat stress, water deficit or abscisic acid. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 11:243-253.
Singh SK, Kakani VG, Brand D, Baldwin B, Reddy KR (2008). Assessment of cold and heat tolerance of
winter-grown canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars by pollen-based parameters. Journal of Agronomy
& Crop Science 194:225-236.
Heat treatment of
wheat plants using a
growth chamber. Plants
are grown in thegreenhouse before and
after a brief heat
treatment applied at a
specific developmental
stage.
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Project title: Positional cloning of QTL for drought tolerance in wheat
SUPERVISORS:Dr Delphine Fleury, Prof. Peter Langridge
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected],[email protected]
BACKGROUND
The key objective of the drought program of ACPFG is to generate detailed knowledge of the
mechanisms of drought adaptation under the Mediterranean type growing conditions, with a view
to developing plants tolerant to multiple components: osmotic & oxidative stress, heat, dehydration.
This type of drought is characterised by water deficit at the late stages of crop development, usually
during flowering and grain filling.
We have identified several QTLs of wheat controlling yield in dry environment. Four QTL are
targeted for map-based cloning, for which we already have large populations of recombinant inbred
lines. The availability of new genomics resources, particularly the next-generation sequencing data,
enables now to make tremendous progress in gene cloning in wheat. We are now increasing the
number of markers for fine-mapping of each region to the resolution of each local map to
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Project title: Genetic study of floral architecture for hybrid wheat systemSUPERVISORS:Dr Delphine Fleury, Dr Ryan Whitford
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected],[email protected]
BACKGROUNDOne of the Green revolution technologies was the hybrid seeds. Hybrid plants obtained by inter-
crossing inbred lines show an increase in biomass and production. This heterotic effect is particularly
strong in out-breeding species such as maize. Past studies showed that yield increase is possible to
achieve in hybrid wheat compared to the conventional inbred lines. However due to its self-
pollinated nature, inter-crossing plants is difficult. One of the factors that impair out-crossing in
wheat is its flower architecture and biology: the spike is compact, male and female are enclosed in
spikelet, anthers and styles are short, flowering time isnt synchronised between male and female
parental lines.
Chasmogamic species are characterized by open flowers and exposed stamens and styles that
facilitate inter-pollination. These traits are usually controlled by few major genes. Heritability of
flower architecture is medium to high suggesting that progress could be made in improving thecross-pollinating ability of parental lines. The aim of this project is to identify wheat loci and genes
that will increase chasmogamy and facilitate inter-crossing using hybridization systems.
AIMS AND SIGNIFICANCE:Identify QTL and genes controlling flower architecture of wheat for increasing
hybridization rate in hybrid seed production.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED:
Molecular markers, phenotyping of floral development, statistical analysis, genome sequence
analysis, genetic mapping and QTL software
REFERENCESTester M. and Langridge P. 2010. Breeding technologies to increase crop production in a changing
world. Science 327: 818-822.
Jordaan JP. Hybrid wheat: advances and challenges. 1996. In: MP Reynolds, S Rajaram and A McNab
(eds) Increasing yield potential in wheat: breaking the barriers, Mexico, CIMMYT, pp 66-75.
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Project title: QTL mapping of root traits associated with efficient wheat root
systems in drought environments
SUPERVISORS:Dr Chunyuan Huang, Prof. Peter Langridge
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected], [email protected]
BACKGROUND
Root systems determine the ability of a plant to capture available water and nutrients. Most of past
research had concentrated on above-ground characteristics of plants, while below-ground
characteristics were mostly neglected. Root proliferation is sensitive to environmental conditions.
The current techniques for root phenotyping are labour-intensive and error-prone, especially for
field-grown plants. We have developed a novel root phenoptyping technique in collaboration with
researchers in SARDI, using quantitative real time PCR. This new technique provides accurate
measurements of living root cells, and therefore, it improves efficiency and accuracy of root
phenotyping. The new root technique has been trialled for high-throughput root phenotyping of
field-grown cultivars. Our results show that restrained root growth is important for high grain yield
in Mediterranean drought environments. The QTL mapping of restrained root systems will open
opportunities for genetic improvement of crop tolerance to drought.
AIMS AND SIGNIFICANCE:Identifying QTLs associated with efficient wheat root systems in drought
environments, and improving wheat tolerance to drought
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED:
Measurement of root traits using a range of techniques(WinRHIZO), Q-PCR, genetic mapping and
QTL software, DNA sequencing and gene analysis
REFERENCESGenc Y, Huang CY, Langridge P (2007) A study of the role of root morphological traits in growth of
barley in zinc-deficient soil. J. Exp. Bot. 58, 2775-2784
McKay A, Riley IT, Hartley D, Wiebkin S, Herdina, Li G, Coventry S, Hall S, Huang CY (2008) Studying
root development in soil using DNA technology: idea to impact.(http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/plenary/biotechnology/5945_mckay.htm#TopOfPage)
Root analysis software (WinRhizo)
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/plenary/biotechnology/5945_mckay.htm#TopOfPagehttp://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/plenary/biotechnology/5945_mckay.htm#TopOfPagehttp://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/plenary/biotechnology/5945_mckay.htm#TopOfPagehttp://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/plenary/biotechnology/5945_mckay.htm#TopOfPagemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]7/31/2019 Drought_PhD Booklet 2012 v2
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Transgenic barley roots express GFP, indicating new living roots in green (red arrow) and the dead
roots (white arrow).
Field trials for root phenotyping using DNA technique
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Project title: Analysis of drought inducible promoters from wheat
SUPERVISORS:Dr Nataliya Kovalchuk, Dr Omid Eini, Dr Sergiy Lopato
CONTACT DETAILS:
[email protected],[email protected], [email protected]
BACKGROUND:
Drought is among the major environmental factors limiting crop productivity worldwide. An
important response to this stress is the temporal and spatial modulation of transcription of specific
sets of genes, which enables the plant to rapidly adapt to altered environmental conditions. The
transcriptional response of plants to drought stress is controlled by numerous transcription factors
(Agarwal et al., 2006; Shinozaki et al., 2007). We have successfully used wheat and barley cDNA
libraries for a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screen for cDNAs encoding transcription factors (TFs) up-
regulated by drought (Lopato et al., 2006). Some TFs have been over-expressed in transgenic barley
and wheat under constitutive promoters and generated transgenic plants demonstrate increased
drought tolerance. Unfortunately, expression of TFs under constitutive promoters often leads to
undesirable developmental phenotypes (Morran et al., in press). To overcome this problem we
prepared a collection of drought inducible and tissue-specific promoters, which we are currently
testing in transgenic wheat and barley. Several wheat promoters will be analysed for spatial and
temporal expression in transgenic wheat and/or barley in the absence of stress and then under
drought and several other abiotic stresses (Li et al., 2008; Rai et al., 2009; Kovalchuk et al., 2010).
Mapping of stress specific cis-elements in some of the promoters and isolation of up-stream
transcription factors using Y1H system will be inclusive to this project.
AIM OF THE PROJECT:
To characterise and test different types of drought inducible promoters from wheat using transient
and stable expression of promoter-reporter gene constructs in wheat and barley.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED
1. Analysis of promoter structure, identification of stress responsive cis-elements, and isolationof upstream transcription regulators using the Y1H screen.
2. Careful analysis of transgenic wheat and barley development. These transgenics expressdrought tolerance TF under several different drought inducible and spike specific promoters.
3. Compare transgenic wheat and barley exhibiting differing expression patterns of the samedrought tolerance TF for survival and yield under drought stress.
4. Participation in field trials.REFERENCES:
Agarwal PK et al. Role of DREB transcription factors in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants.
Plant Cell Rep. 2006 25(12):1263-1274.
Kovalchuk N et al. Defensin promoters as potential tools for engineering disease resistance in cereal
grains. Plant Biotechnol J. 2010 8(1):47-64
Li M et al. Spatial and temporal expression of endosperm transfer cell-specific promoters in
transgenic rice and barley. Plant Biotechnol J. (2008) 6(5):465-76.
Lopato S et al., Isolation of plant transcription factors using a modified yeast one-hybrid system.
Plant Methods 2006, 2:3-17
Rai M et al., Comparative functional analysis of three abiotic stress-inducible promoters in transgenic
rice. Transgenic Res. 2009 18(5):787-99.
Shinozaki K and Yamaguchi-Shinozaki K. Gene networks involved in drought stress response and
toleranceJ. Exp. Bot. 2007 58:221-7.
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Fig. 1. Trangenic wheat lines with drought inducible over-expression of DREB/CBF demonstrate
improved survival under stringent drought conditions
control Line BW8-10Line BW8-6Line BW8-2
14 daysno water
7 daysafter re-watering
14 daysafter re-watering
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Project title: Isolation and characterization of genes involved in the
formation and regulation of drought responsive NF-Y transcription
complex(es)
SUPERVISORS: Dr Sergiy Lopato, Dr Omid Eini, Dr Maria Hrmova, Prof. Peter Langridge
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected] ,[email protected]
BACKGROUND:
Drought stress is a major constraint to the production and yield stability of wheat in Australia. Plants
respond to drought by the temporal and spatial transcriptional modulation genes - a response
orchestrated by various transcription factors (Agarwal et al., 2006; Shinozaki et al., 2007). Nuclear
Factor Y (NF-Y) is a trimeric complex that binds to the CCAAT box of plant promoters, with each
subunit being required for DNA binding (Fig. 1). At least 37 genes for NF-Y subunits have been
identified in wheat, and at least some of these are up-regulated by drought (Stephenson et al.,
2007). Furthermore, over-expression of NF-YB and NF-YA genes in transgenic Arabidopsis and maizeplants can confer drought tolerance without negatively affecting plant development (Nelson et al.,
2007; Li et al, 2008). However, it is unclear which of these subunits participate in particular
complexes, and whether subunits in a complex can be substituted without affecting functionality.
We have used wheat and maize spike and developing grain subjected to drought stress to make
cDNA libraries for Y2H screens (Lopato et al., 2006). We are now screening these libraries to identify
interacting partners of NF-Y subunits, which may include NF-Y subunits or other types of factors that
cooperate with NF-Y trimeric complexes during drought stress (unpublished data). Some of the TFs
identified have already been over-expressed in transgenic barley and wheat under constitutive and
inducible promoters.
AIM OF THE PROJECT:To isolate wheat genes encoding drought related members of the NF-Y complex using PCR-based
cloning and a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen, and to characterise transgenic wheat and barley plants
with constitutive and drought inducible over-expression of two NF-Y subunits.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED
The project will involve further Y2H screens for NF-Y interacting factors, characterisation of these
genes, and preparation of constructs for wheat and barley transformation. Two transgenics over-
expressing NF-Y genes are already available for drought tolerance evaluation. The project may also
involve structural modelling and experimental verification of protein-protein and protein-DNA
interactions involving NF-Y trimeric complexes.
Specific techniques will include: Isolation of genes relevant to NF-Y complexes using PCR-based cloning and the Y2H screen of
cDNA libraries prepared from spike, developing grain and root subjected to drought stress
Analysis of expression of isolated genes using quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Modelling of NF-Y protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions (optional) Analysis of transgenic wheat and barley plants with constitutive and inducible overexpression of
two NF-Y factors for survival and performance under drought stress.
Participation in field trials.REFERENCES:
Agarwal PK et al. Role of DREB transcription factors in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants.
Plant Cell Rep. 2006 25(12):1263-1274
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Li WX, Oono Y, Zhu J, He XJ, Wu JM, Iida K, Lu XY, Cui X, Jin H, Zhu JK.The Arabidopsis NFYA5
transcription factor is regulated transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally to promote drought
resistance. Plant Cell. 2008 Aug;20(8):2238-51.
Lopato S, Borisjuk L, Milligan AS, Shirley N, Bazanova N, Parsley K, Langridge P.
Systematic identification of factors involved in post-transcriptional processes in wheat grain. Plant
Mol Biol. 2006 62(4-5):637-53Nelson DE, Repetti PP, Adams TR, Creelman RA, Wu J, Warner DC, Anstrom DC, Bensen RJ, Castiglioni
PP, Donnarummo MG, Hinchey BS, Kumimoto RW, Maszle DR, Canales RD, Krolikowski KA, Dotson
SB, Gutterson N, Ratcliffe OJ, Heard JE. Plant nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) B subunits confer drought
tolerance and lead to improved corn yields on water-limited acres. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007
104(42):16450-5.
Shinozaki K and Yamaguchi-Shinozaki K. Gene networks involved in drought stress response and
toleranceJ. Exp. Bot. 2007 58:221-7
Stephenson TJ, McIntyre CL, Collet C, Xue GP. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of
the NF-Y family of transcription factors in Triticum aestivum. Plant Mol Biol. 2007 65(1-2):77-92.
Fig. 1. HAP (Heme Activator Protein) Complex or CBF (CCAAT Binding Factor) or
NF-Y (Nuclear Factor Y) Complex
C C A A T
C C A A T
HAP3/
CBFA/
NF-YB
HAP5/
CBFC/
NF-YC
HAP2/
CBFB/
NF-YA HAP5/
CBFC/
NF-YC
HAP3/
CBFA/
NF-YB
HAP2/
CBFB/
NF-YA
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Project title: Isolation and characterization of root specific and drought
inducible transcription factors from wheat roots subjected to drought and
salt stress
SUPERVISORS: Dr Sergiy Lopato, Dr Chunyuan Huang, Prof. Peter Langridge
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected] ,[email protected]
BACKGROUND:
Drought is a major constraint to the production and yield stability of wheat in Australia. Root
characteristics, especially root length, root length density, and the number of thick roots, are critical
for the exploitation of available soil water and for healthy above-ground growth. An important
response to drought is the temporal and spatial transcriptional modulation of specific genes, which
enables the plant roots to adapt to altered environmental conditions. The transcriptional response
of plants to drought stress is controlled by various transcription factors (Agarwal et al., 2006;
Shinozaki et al., 2007). However, very little is known about the transcription factors that control rootgrowth, particularly in a drought specific manner (Hirsch and Oldroyd, 2009;Coudert et al., 2010).
We have made cDNA libraries from wheat and barley spike and developing grain subjected to
drought stress and successfully used these in Y1H (Fig. 1) and Y2H screens for transcription factors
(TFs) up-regulated by drought (Lopato et al., 2006a, 2006b). Over-expression of some of these TFs in
transgenic barley and wheat under constitutive and inducible promoters was found to provide
improved survival under severe drought conditions (Morran et al., in press). We have also made
several cDNA libraries from wheat and maize roots under drought and salt stress, and initial tests
suggest that these libraries provide a good source of root specific and stress inducible TF genes.
AIM OF THE PROJECT:
To isolate members of several families of root specific and drought inducible transcription factorsusing yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) or two-hybrid (Y2H) screens, together with PCR-based cloning, and to
characterise these genes for their spatial, temporal and stress inducible patterns of expression.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED
The project will include isolation of TFs from root libraries using Y1H and Y2H screens, as well as PCR-
based cloning, and assessment of TF expression under well watered or drought conditions. Cloning
of root specific genes and promoters and mapping of stress specific and root specific cis-elements in
selected promoters will be part of this project.
Specific activities include:
Isolation of several transcription factors using Y1H and Y2H screens of root cDNA libraries andPCR-based cloning
Analysis of expression of isolated TFs using quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) on RNA prepared fromstressed plants.
Isolation of full length genes and promoters for root specific TFs. Analysis of promotersequences.
Preparation of constructs for transformation of wheat and barleyREFERENCES:
Agarwal PK et al. Role of DREB transcription factors in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants.
Plant Cell Rep. 2006 25(12):1263-1274
Coudert Y, Prin C, Courtois B, Khong NG, Gantet P. Genetic control of root development in rice, the
model cereal. Trends Plant Sci. 2010 15(4):219-26
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Hirsch S, Oldroyd GE. GRAS-domain transcription factors that regulate plant development. Plant
Signal Behav. 2009 4(8):698-700
Lopato S et al., Isolation of plant transcription factors using a modified yeast one-hybrid system.
Plant Methods 2006, 2:3-17
Lopato S, Borisjuk L, Milligan AS, Shirley N, Bazanova N, Parsley K, Langridge P.
Systematic identification of factors involved in post-transcriptional processes in wheat grain. PlantMol Biol. 2006 62(4-5):637-53
Shinozaki K and Yamaguchi-Shinozaki K. Gene networks involved in drought stress response and
toleranceJ. Exp. Bot. 2007 58:221-7
Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the selection of positive clones during Y1H screen.
Isolation of TFs using Y1H screen
Bait sequence TATA HIS3selection gene
Transcription if hybrid
protein interacts with
bait sequenceADLibrary protein
Selection for positive
growth on CM HisLeu
3-AT and X-GAL plates
GAL4 TATA MEL1 selection gene
ADNon-specific protein
Transcription if non-specific
protein interacts with
bait sequence
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Project title: Determination of microRNAs involved in drought tolerance in
barley or wheat
SUPERVISORS:Dr Bu-Jun Shi, Prof Peter Langridge
CONTACT DETAILS:[email protected], [email protected]
BACKGROUND
The molecular biology of gene silencing represents one of the most important scientific advance in
recent years. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the two key players in this process and have become a
hot topic in molecular biology. miRNAs are a distinct class of small non-coding RNAs of 18-25
nucleotides in length and conserved in eukaryotic organisms. In animals, miRNAs regulate 68% of
total genes and participate in the regulation of almost every cellular process. In plants, miRNAs
function very much like animal miRNAs, but play additional roles in development and adaptive
responses to stresses. Wheat and barley are two most important and widely consumed cereals in
the world. Their productivity, however, is severely limited by drought stress. To develop barley and
wheat tolerant to drought stress, identifying key regulators of stress tolerance is crucial. Expression
of some miRNAs is induced by drought, suggesting a role for miRNAs in drought stress. To
investigate the role of miRNAs to drought stress in barley and wheat, we have constructed 2 small
RNA libraries from barley and 6 small RNA libraries from wheat under normal and drought
conditions. High throughput sequencing of these libraries reveals a number of candidate miRNAs,
some of which are highly expressed, while others are lowly expressed under drought. The next step
is to design experiments to confirm which miRNAs are truly associated with drought stress and
investigate options for enhancing stress tolerance.
AIMS AND SIGNIFICANCE:
Determine miRNA function in drought stress responses, and express miRNA in transgenic barley or
wheat to improve drought tolerance. The expected results would represent a significant advance in
cereal miRNA research and the effort to enhance crop drought tolerance. To date, no barley miRNA
has been identified, let alone their role in drought stress. Although 32 miRNAs from wheat have
been reported, their function has not yet been experimentally confirmed.
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED:
Most of molecular biology techniques such as expression cloning, polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
Southern blot hybridization, northern blot hybridization and western blotting. Other techniques
include biochemical techniques, cell biology techniques, molecular genetic techniques and a range of
bioinformatics approaches.
REFERENCESBaulcombe D (2007). Amplified silencing. Science 315: 199200.
Carrington J, Ambros V (2003). Role of microRNAs in plant and animal development. Science 301:
3368.
Khraiwesh B, Arif MA, Seumel GI, Ossowski S, Weigel D, Reski R, Frank W (2010). Transcriptional
control of gene expression by microRNAs. Cell140:111-22.
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The mechanism of Micro RNA generation and function
Genomic DNA
Pri-miRNA
Pre-miRNA
Transcription
Enzymatic process
Process further
miRNA-miRNA* duplex (~21 nt)
Unwind
Single-stranded
RISC assembly
Bind to target mRNA
Cleave target mRNA
More miRNA(X)Less miRNA(X)
Barley growth under drought
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Scholarships
ACPFG PhD scholarships consist of $25,000 tax free per year, plus support to attend an
international conference and for professional development.
Students applying for ACPFG PhD scholarships must be Australian citizens, permanentresidents, or New Zealand Citizens.
International students can apply for these ACPFG scholarships only if they have received a
university tuition fee waiver (or if they receive a stipend which covers the tuition fee).
Further scholarships are also available through the:
University of Adelaide
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/
University of South Australia
http://www.unisa.edu.au/scholarship/default.asp)University of Melbourne
http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/research/scholarships.html
Contact
Education manager: Dr Monica Ogierman
Email:[email protected]: (08) 8303 6725
Fax: (08) 8303 7102
Australian Centre for Plant Functional
Genomics (ACPFG)
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
University of Adelaide Waite Campus
Plant Genomics Centre
Hartley Grove, Urrbrae
Postal: PMB1 Glen Osmond SA 5064
http://www.acpfg.com.au
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/http://www.unisa.edu.au/scholarship/default.asphttp://www.unisa.edu.au/scholarship/default.asphttp://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/research/scholarships.htmlhttp://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/research/scholarships.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.acpfg.com.au/http://www.acpfg.com.au/http://www.acpfg.com.au/mailto:[email protected]://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/research/scholarships.htmlhttp://www.unisa.edu.au/scholarship/default.asphttp://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/7/31/2019 Drought_PhD Booklet 2012 v2
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Additional reading
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