Molecular consequences of amplified ABA biosynthesis in seeds – uncharacterized genes and long non-coding RNA

Date

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Time

12:30-13:30

Venue

CSIRO Black Mountain B1 Lecture Theatre

Speaker

Hiro Nonogaki, Oregon State University, USA

Summary

Two experimental systems have been developed to modify ABA biosynthesis in seeds. The Plant Gene Switch System (PGSS), a chemically induced gene expression system, which conditionally expresses nine-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase  (NCED), a rate-limiting ABA biosynthesis gene upon application of the ligand methoxyfenozide, is robust enough to suppress germination of imbibed seeds at the last stage of testa rupture. A more advanced system of enhanced NCED expression during seed maturation through a positive feedback mechanism, which does not require chemical application, produces hyperdormant seeds in a spontaneous manner. These two systems have great potential to prevent precocious germination on the maternal plants and can be applied to PHS (preharvest sprouting) prevention in cereal crops. In this seminar, the utility of these experimental systems for basic discoveries will also be discussed. The major focus will be on the identification of unknown and uncharacterized ABA-induced genes. Currently ongoing research of ABA-induced lncRNA (ABAIR) and DELAY OF GERMINATON1-LIKE4 (DOGL4) will be introduced in the seminar.

Brief Bio

Hiro Nonogaki is an Associate Professor, specializing in seed biology at Oregon State University. Dr. Nonogaki received his Ph.D. from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in 1996. Dr. Nonogaki has experience in both the seed industry and academic research. He was an invited professor at University of Angers, France, Ben-Gurion University, Israel and Wageningen University, The Netherlands, awarded Rector’s Medal from Warmia and Mazury University, Poland, served on the Editorial Board of Seed Science Research and the Scientific Advisory Committee for the International Society for Seed Science (ISSS) conferences and is co-author of Seeds: Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy (J.D Bewley, K.J. Bradford, H.W.M. Hilhorst, H. Nonogaki, Springer). He currently has basic research projects on the mechanism of seed development, dormancy and germination in the Integrative Seed Biology program, which was established by a CAREER grant from National Science Foundation.

 This is a public seminar.

NO visitor pass is required for non-CSIRO attendees going to Lecture Theatre Building 1.