Investment

GRDC Code: ANU2401-002RSX

GRS 2024 (Rebeccah Tyrrell) - Using RNA regulation to improve energy use efficiency and boost yield in wheat

By altering key biochemical pathways, this project aims to improve the input-use efficiency and hopefully increase the yield potential of wheat. This project aims to use newly developed high-throughput screens to improve our understanding of how sequences in the mRNA regulate gene expression, and how we can use this to develop 'smarter', more yield-stable crops. Combinations of new genes linked to improved energy use efficiency and yield will be targeted, and the effects of manipulating their expression both at the mRNA and protein level will be explored. Isolated single plant cells (protoplasts) will be used to screen for the impacts of candidate genes on energy efficiency usage parameters, before testing successful candidates or combinations in whole plants. Increasing the expression of a gene by elevating protein made from mRNA could potentially result in the development of more yield-stable germplasm. Additionally, short native sequences in the mRNA provide a way to turn genes on/off more flexibly and efficiently, conserving energy which could be used by the plant for potential yield increases.

Project start date:

01/01/2024

Project end date:

31/08/2027

Crop type: