The role of ELF4 in the Arabidopsis circadian system.

在恒定条件下呈现24小时周期性的节律过程在跨越所有主要生命王国的生物体中观察到。 这些昼夜节律控制着各种各样的生理过程，并对环境刺激如光和温度作出反应。 了解不同生物体中昼夜节律时间保持的分子机制对于确定共同主题和表征独特特征非常重要。 这个提议的目的是确定一个独特的蛋白质，ELF4，在拟南芥的昼夜节律钟的进展中的作用。 考虑到生物钟控制下的无数过程，从发育到生物化学、生理学和生殖，对生物钟如何调节植物生物学的多样性进行机械理解肯定会对普通生物学和农业产生影响。 生物钟的研究也提供了一个独特的机会，整合分子研究与整个植物生理学。除了对基础科学和应用科学产生更广泛的影响外，该研究还将具有重要的培训功能，并将作为培训研究生和博士后研究员的工具。 还将争取代表性不足的少数民族参与。

Rhythmic processes exhibiting 24 hour periodicity under constant conditions are observed in organisms spanning all major kingdoms of life. These circadian rhythms control a diverse array of physiological processes and are responsive to environmental stimuli such as light and temperature. Understanding the molecular mechanisms operating during circadian time keeping in diverse organisms is important for identifying common themes and characterizing unique features. The goal of this proposal is to determine the role of a unique protein, ELF4, in the progression of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. Given the myriad of processes under clock control, ranging from development to biochemistry, physiology, and reproduction, developing a mechanistic understanding of how the clock regulates such a diversity of plant biology will certainly have implications in both general biology and in agriculture. Research on the circadian clock also provides a unique opportunity to integrate molecular research with whole plant physiology. In addition to its Broader Impacts on basic and applied science, the research will have an important training function and will serve as the vehicle for training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Underrepresented minority involvement will also be sought.