Identification and spatial distribution of metabolites using MALDI-MSI in Setaria overexpressing genes related to synthesis of polyols under abiotic stress

• Grant number: 21/14924-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: May 02, 2022
• End date: August 11, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Danilo da Cruz Centeno
• Grantee: Karoline Estefani Duarte
• Supervisor: Basil Nikolau
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Iowa State University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/16226-4 - Overexpression of genes related to polyols synthesis in Setaria, BP.PD

Abstract

Grasses play a crucial role in human and animal feed, and more recently have received special attention for the production of biofuels. In respect to both these applications two broad traits are limiting the development of appropriate germplasm that can mitigate anthropic effects on crop production and the increased demand for energy: i) biomass productivity based on genetic engineering; ii) global warming and its impact on plant productivity as a result of greenhouse gas emission. The use of model species to study grasses with C4 photosynthetic metabolism has been the focus of our research group. We will focus on the mitigation of the effect of global warming, specifically on water deficit, by analyzing the expression of genes that that are needed in the synthesis of polyols, which are protective molecules associated with increase in drought tolerance expression. Transgenic lines of Setaria italica and Setaria viridis overexpressing two different genes related to polyols synthesis have been generated. Preliminary data suggests that these transgenic lines have a better performance than wild-type plants when submitted to abiotic stress. To elucidate the mechanisms, the identification and localization of polyols, or other osmoprotectants, is necessary and is mainly the aim of this BEPE project. (AU)