Imaging and modelling of seed metabolism in oilseed rape

在初步实验中，我们发现欧洲最重要的油料作物油菜(Brassica Napus)成熟胚油沉积的局部差异很大。根据我们的假设，胚胎的不同代谢区域必须分别由不同的代谢网络和途径活动控制。在这里，我们的目标是揭示这种新陈代谢区隔。将采用非侵入性核磁共振方法研究(I)甘蓝型油菜种子的三维结构，(Ii)体内碳水化合物向胚胎的输送和(Iii)发育中的甘蓝型油菜种子的局部储油能力。非侵入性脂肪成像将确定油沉积最多/最少的区域，随后将对这些区域进行激光显微解剖和分析。实验数据集将使通量平衡分析成为可能--这是一种数学方法，可以分析整个胚胎和发育过程中代谢通量的分布。这将首次提供关于种子新陈代谢及其与种子结构关系的三维模型。代谢模型方法将允许(I)生成关于种子代谢和油料产量的可检验的预测，(Ii)识别生物合成能力的瓶颈，以及(Iii)为甘蓝型油菜的预测育种提供分子靶标。总体而言，该项目将开发对植物进行非侵入性分析的综合工具，从而协助和促进作物改良研究。

In preliminary experiments, we found tremendous differences in local oil deposition in mature embryos of rapeseed (Brassica napus) which is the most important European oilseed crop. According to our hypothesis, the metabolically distinct regions of the embryo must be governed by distinct metabolic networks and pathway activities, respectively. Here, we aim to uncover this metabolic compartmentation. A non-invasive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) approach will be taken to study (i) the three-dimensional seed structure, (ii) the in vivo carbohydrate delivery to the embryo and (iii) the local oil storage capabilities inside developing seeds of B. napus. Non-invasive lipid imaging will define regions with maximum/minimum oil deposition, and these will subsequently be laser microdissected and analysed. The experimental dataset will enable the use of flux balance analysis - a mathematical method to analyse metabolic flux distribution across the embryo and during development. This altogether will for the first time deliver a three-dimensional model on seed metabolism and its relation to the seed structure. The metabolic modelling approach will allow (i) generating testable predictions on seed metabolism and oil yield, (ii) identifying bottlenecks for biosynthetic capabilities, and (iii) providing molecular targets for predictive breeding in B. napus. In general, this project will develop integrative tools for the non invasive analysis of plants and thereby assist and facilitate research on crop improvement.