Molecular approaches to germination and desiccation tolerance

种子休眠的打破导致发芽，是受植物激素控制的。这些会导致关键基因的表达发生变化，但首先这种激素必须被认为是诱发这些事件的信号。阐明信号转导途径是我们理解激素如何工作的关键，也是它们在改善农艺性状方面的有用应用的关键。我们的研究集中了这一途径的关键蛋白质成分，以确定它是如何起作用的，以及它的作用是如何在种子内控制以促进发芽的。所有的农业植物都受到缺水的不利影响。我们已经鉴定出一种根系能抵抗干燥的园艺植物。与这种耐受性相关的是，在根中出现了一种数量丰富的小蛋白质。我们正在研究这种蛋白质及其合成，目的是将其引入不耐高温的作物，期望它能提高它们的抗旱能力。

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.