Genetic Analysis of Osmotic Stress Signal Transduction in Plants

9808398由干旱和盐分引起的朱渗透胁迫一直是植物进化的主要选择力量，也是影响植物生长发育的重要因素。了解植物检测和响应渗透胁迫的机制，不仅对于植物生物学的基本方面，而且对于努力改善作物在不利环境条件下的表现都是至关重要的。朱博士建议通过研究模式植物拟南芥的几个突变来揭示渗透胁迫信号转导的机制。这些突变会导致应激反应基因的异常调节。将对突变体进行详细的遗传、分子、生化和生理特性鉴定，以确定野生型基因在植物耐旱耐盐中的特定功能。其中一个基因将以高分辨率进行基因图谱绘制，以便进行克隆。建议的研究将加深我们对植物细胞如何响应渗透胁迫的理解，并提高我们制定合理策略培育抗逆作物的能力。

9808398 Zhu Osmotic stress caused by drought and salinity has been a major selective force in plant evolution and an important factor influencing plant growth and development. Understanding the mechanisms by which plants detect and respond to osmotic stress is of critical importance not only for aspects of basic plant biology but also for efforts to improve crop performance under adverse environmental conditions. Dr. Zhu proposes to unravel the mechanism osmotic stress signal transduction by studying several mutations in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. These mutations cause aberrant regulation of stress responsive genes. Detailed genetic, molecular, biochemical and physiological characterization of the mutants will be carried out to establish the specific functions of the wild type genes in plant tolerance to drought and salinity. One of the genes will be genetically mapped at high resolution in order to have it cloned. The proposed studies will enhance our understanding of how plant cells respond to osmotic stress and improve our ability to develop rational strategies for breeding stress-resistant crops.