The biomechanics and biophotonics of plant health and development

• Grant number: 16/50344-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Cristiano de Mello Gallep
• Grantee: Cristiano de Mello Gallep
• Principal researcher abroad: Daniel Robert
• Institution abroad: University of Bristol, England
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/11280-0 - Photon-counting chamber with spectral and spatial discrimination for biological tests - applications in germination, AP.R

Abstract

Seed germination is momentous for plants. It is a commitment to development that requires the right conditions for survival. Understanding seed germination and growth into full fledged organisms is very important to food production and security. Yet to date, it is still difficult to assess seed viability and health. The capacity of seeds to emit tiny vibrations and ultraweak light will be used to study their viability and early development. The main objectives are: 1. Develop accurate and reliable experimental methods merging technologies conventionally used in optical communication (photon detection) and hearing research (mechanical vibrations). 2. Characterise short (seconds) and long time scale (days) vibrations and weak photon emissions in single seeds and seedlings, such as wheat, corn, rice and Arabidopsis. 3. Investigate the possible link between vibrations and light emissions by using acoustic mechanical stimulation and detecting photon emissions. SPRINT fund would enable more exchange, as a BR counterpart to the ongoing BBSRC grant. Partner funds stated below in Pounds (£1=R$4,29), as in the oriainal BBSRC grant. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GALLEP, CRISTIANO DE MELLO; ROBERT, DANIEL. Are cyclic plant and animal behaviours driven by gravimetric mechanical forces?. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 73, n. 4, p. 11-pg., 2021-12-10. (16/50344-6, 18/05300-6)

GALLEP, CRISTIANO M.; VIANA, JOAO F.; CIFRA, MICHAL; CLARKE, DOMINIC; ROBERT, DANIEL. RESEARCH IN CONTEXT: PART OF A SPECIAL ISSUE ON FUNCTIONAL-DEVELOPMENTAL PLANT CELL BIOLOGY Peter Barlow's insights and contributions to the study of tidal gravity variations and ultra-weak light emissions in plants. ANNALS OF BOTANY, v. 122, n. 5, p. 757-766, OCT 5 2018. (16/50344-6, 15/11280-0)