Genome-wide analysis of short RNAs as modulators in dehydration stress tolerance using tolerant and genetic model systems (ERA-PG 030)

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The lack of understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms has impeded efforts to improve drought tolerance of crop plants. Production of the next generation of dehydration tolerant crops requires a better understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of dehydration tolerance. Our objective is to combine the expertise developed in German, Portuguese and UK laboratories to explore the roles of regulatory small 21-25nt RNAs (sRNAs) in dehydration tolerance using dehydration tolerant and genetic model systems. New families of stress associated sRNAs will be identified using innovative bioinformatics and high throughput genomics tools. The potential of these sRNAs will be characterised in transgenic plants. Our results will have important implications for gene regulation under dehydration stress, engineering stress tolerance and also contribute significantly to the long-term goal of having a comprehensive profile of sRNAs in different plant species.