CAREER: Determining the molecular mechanisms of the Arabidopsis circadian clock: the role of the pseudo-response regulators

生物钟是一种自我维持的生物振荡器，使生物体能够预测环境变化并协调其生理学的不同方面。在植物中，生物钟是最佳生长和生存所必需的，并调节广泛的生理过程，如开花和光合作用。Farre博士实验室的长期目标是了解生物钟的设计原理以及生物钟在植物生长和发育中的作用。特别是，本项目将有助于阐明早晨表达的伪反应调节PRR7和PRR9在模式植物拟南芥中的分子作用，使用分子和生物化学方法。这些研究不仅将确定PRRs在昼夜节律振荡器中的分子功能，而且还将确定生物钟组件在控制植物生理反应中的直接作用。由于不同生物体中的昼夜节律网络之间的结构相似性，这项工作将补充其他系统中的分析，并促进我们对生物钟及其机制的理解，以影响从生物质生产到人类昼夜节律紊乱的大量过程。Farre博士还将在密歇根州立大学为旨在成为中学生物教师的学生建立一个为期两年的项目，以获得在实验室环境中进行科学探究的经验，并教授实验室课程。学生将在法雷实验室进行研究实习，在那里他们将从事与该奖项相关的研究项目，并建立一个可用于高中班级的教学单元。学生还将能够实践他们的教学技能作为本科实验室课程的助教。

The circadian clock is a self-sustained biological oscillator that enables organisms to both anticipate environmental changes and to coordinate different aspects of their physiology. In plants, the circadian clock is necessary for optimal growth and survival and regulates a wide range of physiological processes such as flowering and photosynthesis. The long-term goal of Dr. Farre's laboratory is to understand the design principles of circadian clocks as well as the role of the clock in plant growth and development. In particular, this project will help elucidate the molecular role of the morning expressed pseudo-response regulators PRR7 and PRR9 in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana using molecular and biochemical approaches. These studies will define not only the molecular function of the PRRs in the circadian oscillator but also the direct role of clock components in the control of physiological responses in plants. Due to the architectural similarities between circadian networks in different organisms, this work will complement the analyses in other systems and advance our understanding of circadian clocks and their mechanisms to impact a large number of processes ranging from biomass production to human circadian disorders. Dr. Farre will also establish a two-year program at Michigan State University for students aimed at becoming secondary biology teachers to gain experience in scientific inquiry in a laboratory setting and to teach laboratory courses. Students will do a research internship in the Farre laboratory where they will work on their own research project associated with this award as well as establish a teaching unit that can be used in a high school class. Students will also be able to practice their teaching skills as teaching assistants of an undergraduate laboratory course.