Genomic Science Program

Plant Feedstock Genomics
for Bioenergy

2009 Awardee

A Systems Biology Approach to Elucidate Regulation of Root Development in Populus

INVESTIGATORS: V. B. Busov

INSTITUTION: Michigan Technological University

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Lignocellulosic bioenergy crops will be primarily grown on marginal lands to avoid competition with food production and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Intermittent, patchy, and limited availabilities of resources like nitrogen (N) and water severely compromise productivity under such environments. Therefore, sustainable production of bioenergy crops will entail developing varieties that can maintain high levels of biomass productivity under sub-optimal N and water conditions. Root architecture is an important determinant of productivity under both nitrogen limitations and drought-prone environments; but the genetic bases of these root traits are poorly understood and thus difficult to manipulate. In this proposal we focus on roots as a venue for engineering robust productivity under sub-optimal N and water environments.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this proposal are: 1) Generate systems-level knowledge and identify key regulators of root architecture in relation to N and water stress; and 2) Identify genes that regulate root architecture under drought-prone and nitrogen-deficient environments via activation tagging. We will generate a comprehensive dataset of root transcriptomic and metabolomic response to water and nitrogen deficiency, as well as a systems-level knowledge and genetic network landscape map of root response to the studied factors.

APPROACH: This project has two parallel, complementary and highly integrated approaches centered on the strengths of Populus as an experimental system: 1) availability of a powerful functional genomics and metabolic profiling platforms and 2) capability to perform transgenic forward and reverse genetics. We will produce a comprehensive transcriptional and metabolic profile of roots' response to levels and distribution of N and water. Building on this resource we will use advanced computational genetic network analysis to generate systems-level knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms. We will identify key regulators and modify their expression in transgenic plants to test the biological significance of the identified network mechanisms. Taking advantage of the poplar genome sequence and efficient transformation system, we will use activation tagging as a forward genetics approach to discover novel genes or corroborate the effect of genes identified via the genetic network analysis. Project data will be displayed via web site.

PROJECT CONTACT:
Name: Victor Busov
Phone: 906-487-1728
Fax: 906-487-2915
Email: vbusov@mtu.edu