Microtome and knife maker for structure and function analysis of Arabidopsis and canola seed coats

我的研究兴趣主要集中在与油菜种皮发育相关的发育和分子遗传事件。 发育的潜在机制之一是通过编码转录因子（TF）的基因在特定时间和地点的局部表达。 通过常规遗传学方法鉴定对油菜等油料作物的生长和发育至关重要的TF基因一直受到限制。了解控制种子发育在密切相关的模式物种拟南芥的转录机制将很可能提供必要的见解来解决这个问题。 拟南芥和油菜等油料作物的生长依赖于胚、胚乳和种皮的协调发育。 与胚和胚乳不同，当涉及到理解其功能背后的结构和遗传机制时，种皮很少受到关注。例如，近端种皮的功能，其中包括合点增殖组织和合点种皮是未知的。 然而，组织学观察表明，由于转移细胞形态的运输功能。 此外，这种组织的快速分化使其成为研究细胞分化的理想候选者。 基于这些结果，我将进行广泛的组织学研究，以观察遗传扰动对近端种皮发育的影响。 申请的半电动旋转切片机和玻璃刀将用于（1）生成石蜡包埋厚切片，用于激光捕获显微切割和拟南芥合点增殖组织的RNA分析，以及（2）使用塑料包埋薄切片进行遗传扰动后近端种皮的解剖学观察。 由于该仪器可以使用石蜡和塑料包埋材料生产条带，因此它提供了对种子部分进行有组织的高通量重建的优势。 我们部门目前没有具备这些功能的切片机。 此外，这一工具将用于培养组织学领域的高素质人才，这对论文和出版物质量数字有很大贡献。

My research interest focuses on the developmental and molecular genetic events associated with seed coat development in oilseeds. One of the underlying mechanisms of development is through the localized expression of genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) at specific times and places. Identification of TF genes that are essential for growth and development of oilseed crops such as canola (Brassica napus) by conventional genetic approaches has been limiting. Understanding the transcriptional mechanisms that control seed development in the closely related model species Arabidopsis thaliana will very likely provide the insight necessary to solve this issue. Growth of oilseeds like Arabidopsis and canola relies on the coordinated development of the embryo, endosperm and seed coat. Unlike the embryo and endosperm, the seed coat has received little attention when it comes to understanding the structural and genetic mechanisms that underlie its function. For example, the function of the proximal seed coat, which comprises the chalazal proliferating tissue and chalazal seed coat is unknown. However, histological observations suggest a transport function due to transfer cell morphology. Moreover, rapid differentiation of this tissue makes it an ideal candidate to study cell differentiation. Based on these results I will carry out extensive histological studies to observe the effects of genetic perturbations on proximal seed coat development. The requested semi-motorized rotary microtome and glass knife maker will be used for (1) generating paraffin-embedded thick sections for laser capture microdissection and RNA profiling of the chalazal proliferating tissue in Arabidopsis and (2) anatomical observations of the proximal seed coat following genetic perturbations using thin plastic-embedded sections. Since this instrument can produce ribbons using both paraffin and plastic embedded materials, it provides the advantage to perform organized high-throughput reconstruction of seed parts. No microtome with these features is currently available in our department. Moreover, this instrument will be used to train highly qualified personnel in the art of histology which contribute greatly to thesis and publication quality figures.