MAJOR RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the genes required to program seed development?
Canola (Brassica napus) and the seeds derived from this plant represent a multi-billion dollar industry to the Canadian economy and are increasing in demand around the world. Underlying seed development and production is a complex network of regulatory genes and pathways that specify how and when a seed develops. Seeds of canola can be divided into both zygotic and maternal regions. The maternal region can further be divided into several subregions including the funiculus, chalazal seed coat, chalazal proliferating tissue and the distal seed coat. Our understanding of maternal seed subregions is lacking mostly because of their inaccessibility within the seed for molecular and genomic studies. What are the genes responsible for maternal subregion development in canola? What maternal subregion transcription factors are essential for seed development? and How are these genes regulated? We will be studying these questions using laser microdissection technology coupled to Next Generation RNA sequencing to profile patterns of gene activity in specific plant cell types. Our lab has developed expertise in the processing of laser microdissected tissues, building of RNA sequencing libraries and the analysis and development of bioinformatics pipelines to analyze large-scale datasets. We are focusing on the RNAs of the maternal subregions because we have developed deep expertise in the analysis of these molecules. The molecular data will be complemented with in depth histological analysis of maternal subregions in addition to transformants lacking transcriptional regulators with aberrant seed phenotypes. This hypothesis driven research will identify genes essential for seed development that are active specifically in maternal subregions. The results of this seminal research will contribute to the understanding of seed development for those interested in crop improvement.
Funding generously provided by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
Canola (Brassica napus) and the seeds derived from this plant represent a multi-billion dollar industry to the Canadian economy and are increasing in demand around the world. Underlying seed development and production is a complex network of regulatory genes and pathways that specify how and when a seed develops. Seeds of canola can be divided into both zygotic and maternal regions. The maternal region can further be divided into several subregions including the funiculus, chalazal seed coat, chalazal proliferating tissue and the distal seed coat. Our understanding of maternal seed subregions is lacking mostly because of their inaccessibility within the seed for molecular and genomic studies. What are the genes responsible for maternal subregion development in canola? What maternal subregion transcription factors are essential for seed development? and How are these genes regulated? We will be studying these questions using laser microdissection technology coupled to Next Generation RNA sequencing to profile patterns of gene activity in specific plant cell types. Our lab has developed expertise in the processing of laser microdissected tissues, building of RNA sequencing libraries and the analysis and development of bioinformatics pipelines to analyze large-scale datasets. We are focusing on the RNAs of the maternal subregions because we have developed deep expertise in the analysis of these molecules. The molecular data will be complemented with in depth histological analysis of maternal subregions in addition to transformants lacking transcriptional regulators with aberrant seed phenotypes. This hypothesis driven research will identify genes essential for seed development that are active specifically in maternal subregions. The results of this seminal research will contribute to the understanding of seed development for those interested in crop improvement.
Funding generously provided by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
Can we develop novel molecular pesticides to protect canola?
Sustainable agriculture through modern technological advancements remains a top priority for researchers and growers in Canada. Plant protection through the use of broad-based chemical applications may result in the off targeting of beneficial organisms responsible to plant growth, development and pollination. We are interested in developing a deep understanding in the control of insect and fungal pests using modern genomics technologies. The impact of this work is practical, leading to deeper understanding of events critical for plant protection and pest management. The impact is also theoretical and will likely change our understanding of molecular pesticide and fungicide stability and penetrability in one of the most economically important agricultural crops to the Canadian economy.
Funding generously provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Collaborative Research Development Grants, BASF, Canola Council of Canada, Western Grains Research, and Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development.
Sustainable agriculture through modern technological advancements remains a top priority for researchers and growers in Canada. Plant protection through the use of broad-based chemical applications may result in the off targeting of beneficial organisms responsible to plant growth, development and pollination. We are interested in developing a deep understanding in the control of insect and fungal pests using modern genomics technologies. The impact of this work is practical, leading to deeper understanding of events critical for plant protection and pest management. The impact is also theoretical and will likely change our understanding of molecular pesticide and fungicide stability and penetrability in one of the most economically important agricultural crops to the Canadian economy.
Funding generously provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Collaborative Research Development Grants, BASF, Canola Council of Canada, Western Grains Research, and Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development.
