This action funds an NSF National Plant Genome Initiative Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2013. The fellowship supports a research and training plan in a host laboratory for the Fellow who also presents a plan to broaden participation in biology. The title of the research and training plan for this fellowship to Sharon B. Gray is "The Effects of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on Development and Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) roots" The host institution for the fellowship is the University of California-Davis, and the sponsoring scientist is Dr. Siobhan Brady.
This project focuses on understanding tomato root morphological, developmental and gene expression responses to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations predicted for the second half of this century. Specific aims of this research are to (1) determine the effects of elevated CO2 on root development at the morphological and cellular levels in cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and a wild relative (Solanum pennellii); (2) analyze cell-type specific gene expression responses to elevated CO2 in Solanum lycopersicum roots; and (3) utilize an introgression line (IL) population derived from a cross of Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum pennellii to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing responsiveness to elevated CO2 in several aspects of root morphology and cellular anatomy.
Training objectives include plant genomics, quantitative genetics and bioinformatics. Broader impacts include development of a laboratory training module for an educational outreach initiative at a local high school, as well as development of a website for this outreach program, making lesson plans freely available online for high school teachers and for use in other outreach programs.
