Very little is known in any organism concerning the genetic mechanisms by which ambient temperature effects biology. Due to plant sessile nature they must precisely measure ambient changes in temperature and respond accordingly, making them a model system in which to study the genetic mechanisms of temperature sensing. Temperature and light are critical environmental cues that orchestrate plant development and while understanding of light-mediated development (photomorphogenesis) has increased over the past decade very little is known about how a plant senses and integrates daily changes in ambient temperature (thermomorphogenesis). This study will utilize quantitative genetic techniques to describe the genetic architecture and extent of natural variation of thermomorphogenesis in the model flowering plant Arabidopsis. Thermomorphogenesis quantitative trait loci (QTL) will be mapped in a new set of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) and a global collection of Arabidopsis accessions. At least one gene associated with a QTL will be cloned and its role in thermomorphogenesis will be characterized. Furthermore, the relationship between natural variation at this gene and thermomorphogenesis in a global collection of Arabidopsis will be studied. Understanding the genetic basis of thermomorphogenesis will have broader scientific relevance not only for crops but in other non-plant organisms as well.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM068381-03
Application #
6896516
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (20))
Program Officer
Dearolf, Charles R
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2006-06-30
Budget Start
2005-07-01
Budget End
2006-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$48,296
Indirect Cost
Name
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Department
Type
DUNS #
078731668
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
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Borevitz, Justin O; Hazen, Samuel P; Michael, Todd P et al. (2007) Genome-wide patterns of single-feature polymorphism in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:12057-62
Mockler, Todd C; Yu, Xuhong; Shalitin, Dror et al. (2004) Regulation of flowering time in Arabidopsis by K homology domain proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:12759-64