SBIR Phase I: Luciferase Directed Substrates for Cell Regulation

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This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop commercial uses for conjugates capable of exploiting firefly luciferase expression in transformed plant cells to control their growth and physiology. The synthesis of a series of D-luciferin conjugates of plant regulatory substances is researched. In Phase I, we will test these conjugates for the ability to ablate specific tissues and cells expressing luciferase (luc) activity. Conjugates will be assayed in tissue culture and in whole plants for the ability to cause localized cell death in a promoter dependent manner. Such compounds will be of general use for plant research on the control of development and gene expression and have the potential to produce agriculturally important sterile plant species in a reversible manner, through the use of selective application of substrate and choice of luc-fusion promoter.