
NSF Org: |
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems |
Recipient: |
|
Initial Amendment Date: | April 19, 2004 |
Latest Amendment Date: | May 7, 2006 |
Award Number: | 0344852 |
Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
Program Manager: |
Zhongchi Liu
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
Start Date: | April 15, 2004 |
End Date: | March 31, 2008 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $375,000.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $375,000.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2005 = $130,000.00 FY 2006 = $130,000.00 |
History of Investigator: |
|
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1350 BEARDSHEAR HALL AMES IA US 50011-2103 (515)294-5225 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
Primary Place of Performance: |
1350 BEARDSHEAR HALL AMES IA US 50011-2103 |
Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
Parent UEI: |
|
NSF Program(s): | PLANT FUNGAL & MICROB DEV MECH |
Primary Program Source: |
app-0105 app-0106 |
Program Reference Code(s): |
|
Program Element Code(s): |
|
Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), those that contain 20 or more carbon units, are incorporated into a wide variety of physiologically significant phytochemicals, including cuticular waxes, cutin, suberin, sphingolipids, and some phospholipids and seed oils. Genes that encode several of the enzymes involved in the production of VLCFAs have been isolated. Based on the finding that maize mutants that block the production of one of these enzymes are embryo lethal, VLCFAs must be essential during maize embryogenesis. Mutants that block the accumulation of essential VLCFAs therefore provide an ideal experimental system to determine the essential role of VLCFA-derived phytochemicals in plant development.
The proposed project will define the essential developmental role(s) of VLCFAs, by determining the morphological differences that distinguish the development of mutant embryos from normal embryos. It will also establish which VLCFA-derived compound(s) are essential during embryo development, by comparing the accumulation of VLCFA-derived compounds in normal and mutant embryos. Finally, mutants that overcome the embryo lethality associated with genetic blocks in the production of VLCFAs will be isolated. In the long term, these mutants can be used to dissect the diverse network of biochemical pathways that utilize VLCFAs.
The proposed studies meet the challenge of understanding the complex interplay between biochemistry and development by continuing to exploit the synergy inherent in a long-term research collaboration that integrates genetic and biochemical approaches. This project will provide excellent cross-disciplinary training experiences to a diverse group of early-career scientists because it will use a combination of hypothesis-driven and genome-wide analyses, and apply cutting-edge technologies to address significant questions in plant biology that have proven recalcitrant to a mono-disciplinary approach.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.