Elucidating molecular mechanisms by which seeds respond to environmental factors

种子是世界饮食的主要组成部分，占总能量消耗的约50%。因此，已经做出了很多努力来通过使用常规或现代技术来提高种子质量和同步发芽。种子萌发受环境因素如营养、水分、光照和温度的调节。其中，硝酸盐对促进种子萌发起着双重作用：一是作为营养物质，二是作为信号物质。硝酸盐信号转导在种子生理的各个方面都是基础性的，然而其分子机制仍不清楚。因此，阐明这一机制对基础和应用研究人员都是一个挑战。我的研究小组最近确定了拟南芥种子中硝酸盐信号的关键调节因子。该研究计划的目的是（i）通过识别上游调节因子和下游靶点来阐明这些调节因子的分子功能，以及（ii）揭示胚和胚乳如何相互作用以协调多个外部信号进入单一输出（休眠或萌发）。硝酸盐和其他环境信号（光，水和温度）之间的相互作用模式将被检查。此外，硝酸盐诱导的基因的细胞类型特异性表达将映射空间和时间通过使用系统生物学方法可视化环境信号级联。

Seeds are a primary component of the world's diet, which comprise ~50% of the total energy consumption. Therefore, much effort has been made to improve the seed quality and to synchronize germination by using conventional or modern technologies. Seed germination is regulated by environmental factors such as nutrient, water, light and temperature. Among them, nitrate plays a dual role to promote seed germination: one as a nutrient, and the other as a signal. Nitrate signaling is fundamental in all aspects of seed physiology, however, its molecular mechanisms remains unknown. Therefore, elucidating this mechanism is a challenge for both basic and applied researchers. My research group recently identified key regulators for nitrate signaling in Arabidopsis seeds. The aim of this research program is (i) to elucidate the molecular functions of these regulators through identification of upstream regulators and downstream targets, and (ii) to reveal how embryo and endosperm interact each other to coordinate multiple external cues into a single output (either dormancy or germination). The mode of interaction between nitrate and other environmental signals (light, water, and temperature) will be examined. In addition, the cell type-specific expression of nitrate-induced genes will be mapped spatially and temporally by using systems biology approaches to visualize environmental signaling cascades.