SGER: Improved quantification of Hsp101 tissue content and discovery of natural study populations differing in Hsp101 expression.

本项目将开发一个新的系统，用于应用在拟南芥模型系统中开发的基因组研究工具，以更好地了解耐旱机制和耐热机制之间的相互作用。对实验室菌株的研究表明，在其整个生命周期中表现出热休克蛋白101 （Hsp101）产量增加的基因型也表现出根生长减少。Hsp101的无功能突变表明，这种根生长的减少是Hsp101产生的直接影响。因此，如果植物通过产生更多的Hsp101来保护自己免受热胁迫，那么增加的根质量就无法耐受干旱胁迫。该项目将通过两项举措，为这一现象的大规模现场和实验室联合研究奠定基础。首先，开发一种更精确的大批量生产Hsp101检测方法。其次，利用该方法筛选来自不同产地的拟南芥在不同程度的高温和干旱胁迫下的基因型。该项目将首次探索自然环境中Hsp101表达变异对生存和繁殖的影响。研究结果将有助于了解自然种群中不同生理应激补偿机制的演变。更广泛的影响包括培育耐热和耐旱作物的宝贵信息。随着气候变暖和降雨模式的变化，这一点尤为重要。至少有六名本科生将接受有关该项目的个人研究培训，其中三名是女性。两名研究生也将参与其中，其中一名是少数民族。他们都是美国公民。这项工作也将用于汤森通过菲普斯温室和植物园的外展工作。

This project will develop a new system for applying the tools of genomic research that have been developed in the model system of the Mouse-eared Cress (Arabidopsis) to gain a better understanding of the interplay between mechanisms of drought tolerance and mechanisms of heat tolerance. Work with laboratory strains has demonstrated that genotypes exhibiting increased production of heat shock protein 101 (Hsp101) over their whole lifetime also show reduced root growth. Non-functional mutants of Hsp101 demonstrate that this reduced root growth is a direct effect of Hsp101 production. Thus the increased root mass necessary for tolerating drought stress is prevented if plants protect themselves from heat stress by producing increased quantities of Hsp101. This project will set the stage for large-scale combined field and laboratory studies of this phenomenon through two initiatives. First, the development of a more precise mass-production method of assaying for Hsp101 production. Second, the use of this method in screening of genotypes of Arabidopsis collected from diverse locations within its native range that differ in the extent of heat and drought stress. This project will be the first to explore the consequences of Hsp101 expression variation on survival and reproduction in the natural environment. The results will help in the understanding of the evolution of diverse physiological stress compensation mechanisms in natural populations. Broader impacts include valuable information for breeding heat and drought tolerant agricultural crops. This is especially important as the climate warms and rainfall patterns shift. At least six undergraduates will receive individual research training on this project, three of them women. Two graduate students will also be involved, one of them a member of a minority population. All are U.S. citizens. This work will also be used in Tonsor's outreach work through the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden.