An Interdisciplinary Approach to Deciphering the Molecular Dialogue between the Plasma Membrane and Cytoplasm of Medicago truncatula

Pi：Michael R.Sussman Copis：Jean-Michel Ane，Joshua Coon和Gheorghe Craciun Medicago truncatula是一种与紫花苜蓿相关的一年生固氮豆科植物，已成为研究植物如何感知和适应环境变化的优秀研究有机体。它的质膜是外部世界和细胞环境之间的接口；它是特殊的“受体”蛋白质感知可扩散的细胞外信号并将这些信息转化为成功形成共生固氮根瘤所需的关键细胞内变化的地方。最近的遗传学研究已经确定了这一过程所需的质膜和细胞核中的关键蛋白质，但信号穿过细胞质的机制仍不清楚。该项目的目标是开发和使用尖端基因组技术，包括光蛋白质组学、代谢组学和DNA芯片，以确定重要的分子事件，通过这些事件，质膜将关于受体内结节因子占据的信息传递到潜在的细胞质。通过该项目产生的数据可以通过威斯康星州医疗集团网站(http://medicago.wisc.edu/).Broader Impact)访问。该项目将与威斯康星大学S国家科学基金会赞助的研究、教学和学习整合中心以及达美大学的研究、教学和学习计划密切合作，开发TESci项目，这是一个使用新颖教学法(K-12)的技术教育(TE)项目，旨在吸引学术和非学术学生参与科学和技术领域。TESci的目标是：(1)培养那些最不可能从事科学研究的人对科学的兴趣；(2)培养大学理科学生的技术技能；(3)灌输跨学科合作和科学多样性的价值。为了实现这些目标，该项目将汇集来自三所机构的教师、学生和基础设施：麦迪逊东部高中、麦迪逊地区技术学院(MATC)和威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校，所有这些机构都位于半径5英里的范围内。来自这些机构的教职员工和学生将参与课程开发、课堂教学和项目评估。通过参与这项计划的化学和外展部分，获得该奖项支持的研究生将正式学习如何将研究和教学结合起来，以便他们能够很好地成为明天的研究和教育领导者“S说。人们希望，通过TESci，该项目将为科学和技术教育的整合创造一个卓越的中心--一个将为威斯康星州和全国提供典范的中心。

PI: Michael R. Sussman CoPIs: Jean-Michel Ane, Joshua Coon, and Gheorghe Craciun Medicago truncatula is a nitrogen-fixing annual legume related to alfalfa that has emerged as an excellent research organism for studies of how plants perceive and adjust to changes in their environment. Its plasma membrane is the interface between the outside world and the cellular milieu; it is where special "receptor" proteins perceive diffusible extracellular signals and transduce this information into the critical intracellular changes needed for successful symbiotic nitrogen fixing nodule formation. Recent genetics studies have identified key proteins in the plasma membrane and nucleus required for this process, but the mechanism by which the signal traverses the cytoplasm remains unknown. The goal of this project is to develop and use cutting edge genomic technologies, including phoshoproteomics, metabolomics and DNA chips, to determine the important molecular events by which the plasma membrane transmits information on Nod factor occupancy within the receptor, to the underlying cytoplasm. Data generated through this project can be accessed through the Wisconsin Medicago Group web site (http://medicago.wisc.edu/).Broader Impacts. In close collaboration with UW''s NSF-sponsored Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) and the Delta program in Research, Teaching, and Learning, the project will develop TESci, a technology education (TE) program using novel pedagogy (K-12) to engage both academic and nonacademic students in science and technology. The goals of TESci are to: (1) foster an interest in the sciences among those least likely to become engaged in scientific research, (2) develop technology skills among college-bound science students, and (3) instill the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and diversity in science. To accomplish these goals the project will bring together faculty, students, and infrastructure from three institutions: Madison East High School, Madison Area Technical College (MATC), and UW-Madison, all of which are located within a 5-mile radius. Faculty and students from each of these institutions will engage in course development, classroom instruction, and program evaluation. By participating in the chemistry and outreach components of this proposal, graduate students supported by this award will formally learn how to integrate research and teaching so that they will be well positioned to become tomorrow''s leaders of research and education. It is the hope that, with TESci, this project will create a hub of excellence for the integration of science and technology education - one that will provide a model for Wisconsin and the nation.