Characterization of WHIRLY1 functions in cereal crops (fully funded BBSRC CASE studentship)

WHIRLY1 is a member of the WHIRLY family of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins that is found in both plastids and the nucleus. In the nucleus, WHIRLY1 acts as a transcription factor regulating the expression of pathogen-associated gene expression. In chloroplasts it is required for genome stability and plastid gene transcription. However, little is known about how these functions are coordinated particularly under conditions of environmental stress. In this project, transformed maize and wheat plants will be produced to analyse WHIRLY1 functions in major crop plants that use the C4 and C3 pathways of photosynthesis. The project will also provide new information on how chloroplasts send signals to the nucleus to regulate gene expression under different environmental conditions. It will be based in the Centre of Plant Sciences at the University of Leeds in collaboration Biogemma, a plant biotechnology company whose shareholders include major international seed companies. The student will gain expertise in gene cloning, designing and making gene constructs, transgenic maize and wheat plants, back-crossing, and the biochemical, molecular and physiological analysis of crop plants.

The Foyer Group is a leading laboratory working on plant molecular physiology and metabolism (http://www.fbs.leeds.ac.uk/staff/profile.php?tag=Foyer_CH). The University of Leeds has state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive facilities for plant maintenance. Further enquiries should be directed to Professor Christine Foyer e-mail: [Email Address Removed].