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

生物钟是一个自我维持的生物振荡器，它使生物体既能预测环境变化，又能协调其生理的不同方面。在植物中，生物钟对于最佳生长和生存是必要的，并调节着广泛的生理过程，如开花和光合作用。法尔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发育中的作用。特别是，本项目将利用分子和生化方法阐明早晨表达的伪应答调节因子PRR7和PRR9在模式植物拟南芥中的分子作用。这些研究不仅将确定PRRs在昼夜节律振荡器中的分子功能，还将确定时钟成分在植物生理反应控制中的直接作用。由于不同生物体中昼夜节律网络的结构相似性，这项工作将补充其他系统中的分析，并推进我们对昼夜节律时钟及其影响从生物质生产到人类昼夜节律紊乱等大量过程的机制的理解。Farre博士还将在密歇根州立大学为学生建立一个为期两年的项目，旨在成为中学生物教师，以获得在实验室环境中进行科学探究的经验，并教授实验课程。学生将在Farre实验室进行研究实习，在那里他们将从事与该奖项相关的自己的研究项目，并建立一个可以在高中课堂上使用的教学单元。学生还将能够作为本科实验课程的助教来实践他们的教学技能。

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.