SubsidieMeestersControl of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants
This project aims to uncover the mechanisms of cytoplasmic inheritance in plants to enable controlled transmission of plastid and mitochondrial genomes, enhancing crop trait breeding.
Projectdetails
Introduction
In plants, genetic material is stored in the nucleus and the two cytoplasmic organelles: plastids and mitochondria. While both the nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes are essential for plant survival, the inheritance of these genomes is subject to different sets of rules.
Cytoplasmic Inheritance
Cytoplasmic inheritance differs from nuclear inheritance through two unique phenomena: uniparental inheritance and vegetative segregation. Despite extensive research efforts, the molecular basis of uniparental inheritance and vegetative segregation remains elusive. A major challenge in unraveling the mechanisms is the lack of methodologies.
Recent Advancements
Excitingly, recent advancements in cytoplasmic genome engineering have provided me with a unique opportunity to develop feasible approaches for exploring this crucial area of biology.
Project Goals
The ultimate goal of this project is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of cytoplasmic inheritance, which will, in turn, enable us to control the plastid and mitochondrial inheritance. To attain this ambitious goal, we will pursue three specific aims:
- Identifying the factors that govern maternal inheritance.
- Promoting the selective transmission of cytoplasmic genomes.
- Investigating the molecular basis of vegetative segregation.
Methodology
In this project, we will utilize a combination of genetic and cytological approaches to study cytoplasmic inheritance in the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum.
Expected Outcomes
The success of our project would represent the first instance of controlled cytoplasmic inheritance in plants. Our fundamental research will provide new tools for testing existing hypotheses regarding cytoplasmic inheritance.
Agricultural Implications
From an agricultural standpoint, breeders can leverage this unprecedented capacity to selectively transmit cytoplasmic genomes, thus enabling the inheritance of desired crop traits. The potential application of cytoplasmic inheritance in plant breeding highlights the societal impact of our research.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.476.476 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.476.476 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-1-2025 |
| Einddatum | 31-12-2029 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITYpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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Chloro-Import aims to map chloroplast protein import pathways in Chlamydomonas using advanced genome-wide approaches, enhancing understanding and potentially improving crop resilience to climate change.
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This project aims to uncover the epigenetic mechanisms of microspore totipotency in plants, enhancing crop breeding and understanding sexual reproduction through histone modification studies.
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