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 Molecular
approaches to drought resistance in wild and modern wheats
The specific aims are to: (1) characterize gene expression
profiles and identify differentially expressed novel full length gene or few
genes that can potentially enhance drought resistance in cultivated wheat
using genomics tools, and (2) identify chromosomal regions associated with
drought tolerance by mapping the newly identified candidate gene(s) and ESTs that are obtained from database.
 TriticeaeGenome
The aim of the TriticeaeGenome
project is to achieve significant progresses in Triticeae
(wheat and barley) genomics by isolating genes associated with disease
resistance, yield and quality traits. Identifying and exploiting new alleles
for the isolated genes through the use of natural and mutant populations as
well as wild germplasm is also incorporated to the
project. The data obtained from the project will deliver novel information
and tools to scientists for a better understanding of Triticeae
genomes organization, evolution, and function thereby, providing a better
understanding of the biology of these essential crops. In this project, our
group is mainly responsible for BAC end sequencing for genome analysis, contig assembly of chromosome of wheat and comparative
genomics of wheat and other grasses.
 Application of
molecular biology tools to glyphosate
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that
is effective in inhibiting growth and controlling most plant species. The
specific objective of this research is to characterize the variation in
response of selected grass species to glyphosate on
both the plant and molecular level. Plant process characterization will
examine variation in glyphosate absorption,
metabolism, and translocation. Molecular characterization will include 1)
cloning and sequencing the glyphosates target gene
and 2) BAC construction and sequencing for resistance grass species.
 Use of Affymetrix GeneChip for the
identification of signal transduction related genes under drought in wild wheats
Physical stresses like drought, salinity and
low temperatures are the most important factors influencing the crop
productivity. Since the tolerance or sensitivity to abiotic
stresses is determined by complex integration of genomic background and
genetic characteristics, yet little is known about the mechanisms determining
response of plants to stress conditions. Affymetrix
GeneChip Wheat Genome Array will be used to monitor dynamics in the
expression patterns in response to drought treatment. This will enable us a
better understanding of the responses in wild wheat transcriptome upon
drought stress.
 Brachypodium
re-sequencing
The aim of this project is to re-sequence the different
variant of Brachypodium to have a better understanding genome organization, evolution,
and function thereby, providing a better understanding of the biology of
these essential crops.
Phenomic analysis of natural and
induced variation in Brachypodium
In this project, high-throughput phenomic analysis of homozygous T-DNA mutants and natural
accessions of the model grass Brachypodium
distachyon (Brachypodium)
will be conducted to accelerate the understanding of the basic biology
underlying gene(s) that control the utility of grasses as energy crops.
eScience and technology infrastructure for biodiversity
data and observatories
LifeWatch
conduct and bring into operation the facilities, hardware, software and
governance structures for research on the protection, management and
sustainable use of biodiversity. The infrastructure includes facilities for
data generation and processing; a network of observatories; facilities for
data integration and interoperability; virtual laboratories offering a range
of analytical and modelling tools; and a Service Centre providing special
services for scientific and policy users, including training and research
opportunities for young scientists. The infrastructure has the support of all
major European biodiversity research networks.
 Communities of Learning for
an Established Learning Object Library
Creation online learning environments for teachers who use
the eLibrary. In these online learning
communities, teachers will share ideas on how to use the eLibrary,
as well as develop new materials targeting genetics. Our role is to
coordinate a learning community for "international genetics".
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