Epigenetics of transgenerational response to stress

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Plants as sedentary organisms are not able to escape stress. Our previous research has shown that the progeny of plants exposed to stress exhibit changes in physiology and demonstrate a certain degree of stress tolerance and cross-tolerance. Although the mechanisms for the establishment and maintenance of transgenerational responses are not clear, our previous work suggests a substantial involvement of epigenetic mechanisms such as changes in DNA methylation and differential expression of non-coding RNAs. Therefore, the aim of this project is to understand the role of epigenetic factors in transgenerational responses to stress and to decipher genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in plants after a multigenerational exposure to stress. Our experimental model will consist of 25 consecutive generations of wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis thaliana plants propagated in the presence of one of the stresses: heat, cold, salt or UVC. Mutant plants include those mutated in various steps/mechanisms of recognition and DNA damage repair and those mutated in various epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. We hypothesize that after exposure of 25 generations of plants to stress, the progeny will exhibit a certain degree of tolerance and cross-tolerance. We will use various molecular, biochemical, biophysical and imaging techniques to identify changes in plant physiology under normal conditions and in response to stress. Using next generation sequencing and molecular profiling techniques supported by detailed bioinformatics analysis, we will identify changes in DNA sequence, DNA methylation and the expression of non-coding RNAs associated with a specific stress exposure and stress tolerance. This work is critical for the understanding of the mechanisms of stress adaptation. We believe that this knowledge can be applied to identify specific QTLs and epiQTLs associated with stress tolerance and can be used to produce stress tolerant crops. The project will be very beneficial to students and post docs, allowing them to obtain training in several disciplines, including plant stress physiology, imaging techniques, genetics, genomics, epigenomics, bioinformatics, and others.