Molecular approaches to germination and desiccation tolerance

打破种子休眠导致萌发是由植物激素控制的。虽然这些会引起关键基因表达的变化，但首先必须认识到激素是诱导这些事件的信号。阐明信号转导途径是我们理解激素如何工作的关键，也是利用激素改良农艺性状的关键。我们的研究集中了这一途径的关键蛋白质成分，以确定它如何发挥作用，以及它如何在种子内控制作用以促进萌发。所有农业植物都受到缺水的不利影响。我们已经鉴定出一种园艺植物，它的根可以抵抗干燥。与这种耐性相关的是一种小蛋白质的大量出现在根中。我们正在研究这种蛋白质及其合成，目的是将其引入不耐受的温带作物中。预计这将提高他们抵御干旱的能力。

Breaking of seed dormancy, leading to germination, is under the control of plant hormones.  These cause changes in the expression of key genes, but first the hormone has to be recognized as a signal to induce these events. Elucidating the signal transduction pathway is key to our understanding of how hormones work, and for their useful application to improve agronomc traits.  Our research concentrates a pivotal protein component of this pathway, to determine how it functions, and how its action is controlled within the seed to promote germination.All agricultural plants are affected adversely by lack of water.  We have identified a horticultural plant whose roots can withstand desiccation.  Related to this tolerance is the appearance in the roots of a small protein, in abundant quantities.  We are studying this protein, and its synthesis, with the intent of introducing it into intolerant temperate crop plants, in the expectation that it will increase their ability to withstand drought.