Bilateral BBSRC-FAPESP: cellular and regulatory basis for early plant organ growth

• Grant number: 11/51412-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2012
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Agreement: BBSRC, UKRI
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Carnier Dornelas
• Grantee: Marcelo Carnier Dornelas
• Principal researcher abroad: Robert Sablowski
• Institution abroad: John Innes Centre, England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Marcelo Carnier Dornelas

Abstract

This project will combine resources and expertise from the UK and from the Brazilian partners to clarify how key regulatory genes co-ordinate cell cycle progression and cell growth/expansion in plant organ primordia. Specifically, we will: 1. use quantitative 3D analysis of cell geometry and cell cycle progression to test the following hypotheses: a) coupling of cell size and cell cycle a key feature of primordium growth that is targeted by growth regulatory genes (based on our unexpected finding that JAG is required to uncouple cell cycle progression from cell volumes in organ primordia); b) regulatory inputs from JAG, ANT and CIN-TCPs alter progression through specific phases of the cell cycle, such as S-phase, and/or alter total cell cycle length during early organ growth. 2. use quantitative image analysis lo clarify at the cellular level the genetic interactions between JAG, ANT and CIN-TCPs and to test whether these regulators converge on common cellular targets or have additive effects on organ growth. 3. identify direct targets of JAG and CIN-TCPs in organ primordia to c1arify how these genes Interface with cell cycle and cell growth control -this will test predictions arising from 1 and 2 above and provide leads lo the molecular basis for the cellular effects of JAG and CIN-TCPs. (AU)