Regulation of isoprenoid metabolism in Lavandula

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This research will improve our understanding of the production of the isoprenoid, or terpenoid, class of natural products, also known as secondary or specialized metabolites, in plants. The isoprenoids encompass over 30,000 biochemical compounds that play crucial roles in the growth, development and ecology of plants. They are also industrially very significant and impact human lives as key constituents of functional foods, cosmetics, hygiene products, medicines, and biofuels, among others. Given the physiological roles and industrial importance of the terpenoids, there is considerable interest in understanding the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms that control their production in plants. In particular, regulation of isoprenoid metabolism and storage in plants is poorly understood. The proposed studies focus on the regulation of the production of essential oil (EO) constituents (mono- and sesquiterpenes; the C