9212633 Crain This award provides funds to permit Dr. Richard C. Crain, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, to pursue with Dr. Youngsook Lee, Department of Life Science, Pohang Institute of Science and Technology, for 24 months, a program of cooperative research on the role of lipid metabolism in light-mediated circadian rhythms in plants. Changes in lipid metabolism that they hypothesize are involved in mediating light-induced opening of stomata - microscopic pores at the surface of leaves - will be the central focus of their research. Plant cells respond to many of the same environmental signals as animal cells, including light, stress, and gravity, as well as internal hormonal and cell-cell contact signals. In animal cells, the biochemical mechanisms coupling environmental signals to ultimate responses, in many cases, have been carefully analyzed, and many receptors, enzymes, and second messengers have been identified and characterized. In plants, however, the understanding of such pathways is far from complete. The U.S. and Korean collaborators are highly respected scientists with proven ability in the field of this research. Dr. Crain's laboratory has experience with the biochemical methods for extraction, separation, and quantification of the lipids and their metabolites. Dr. Lee has experience in the isolation of light-responsive guard cell protoplasts and the measurement of stomatal apertures. Experimental methods to achieve their specific objectives will take advantage of the research expertise of both collaborating laboratories. This project is relevant to the objectives of the U.S.-Korea Cooperative Science Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. and Korean scientists and engineers through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit. Korean participation in the project is supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF). This project adds an international cooperative dimension to the PI's research under NSF Grant No. DCB-9206179. ***
