3rd Global Summit on Plant Science August 07-09, 2017 Rome, Italy

Biography:

Leon Daniel van Rensburg is a soil physicist lecturing soil and water management at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He established and maintained a vibrate post-graduate research team, which currently consisted of 2 post-doctoral fellows, 4 doctoral students and 8 master students. The team focus mainly on soil and water management off dryland, irrigation as well as natural field and they published in the last 6 years about 45 scientific articles. He is leading two projects of national importance for South Africa, viz. (i) Management guidelines for technology transfer to reduce salinisation of irrigated land with precision agriculture funded by the Water Research Commission and (ii) the soil water balance of the Ghaap Platue as influenced by open cast mining funded by Sishen Iron Ore Company (Anglo American Kolomela). Both projects are scheduled for five years.

Abstract:

Biography:

Arooran Kanagendran is following his PhD in Plant Ecophysioogy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia under the supervision of Professor Ülo Niinemets. His main research interests are in terpene molecular biology and emission in higher plants. He did his masters in Molecular Biology at the University of Hertfordshire, UK

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Ozone is a phytotoxic compound often encountered at increased levels in the atmosphere. However, the immediate and longer-term impact of ozone exposure on plant volatile release is poorly understood. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Tobacco (Nicotiana  tabacum cv. Wisconsin) leaves were exposed to acute ozone doses of 0 (control), 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ppb for 30 min and we studied the effects of ozone exposure on ozone uptake, gas exchange properties, emission of lipoxygenase pathway (LOX) volatiles, mono- and sesquiterpenes, and expression of a monoterpene synthase. Findings: foliage net assimilation rate and stomatal conductance to water vapor, were curbed with the severity of ozone exposure. Ozone exposure enhanced emissions of LOX volatiles dominated by hexanal, and also altered the emission blend of foliage monoterpenes dominated by limonene and foliage sesquiterpenes dominated by α-caryophyllene compared with control leaves. A relative expression of a monoterpene synthase gene, camphene synthase, was downregulated immediately after exposure to 400, 600, and 800 ppb ozone but it was upregulated at 1000 ppb of ozone. A time-delay analysis of camphene synthase gene expression and product emission indicated that with a 3-hour delay, the emissions and gene expression were highly correlated, suggesting that there was a time-lag of at least 3 h from signal transduction and gene expression to formation of the terpene synthase protein. Conclusion & Significance: This study reveals foliage emission of LOX in response to acute ozone exposure was quantitatively related to the severity of ozone exposure. However, the stress dose vs. emission relationship was not observed for mono-and sesquiterpene emissions. There was a time-delay of minimum 3 h from signal transduction to formation of the terpene synthase protein for monoterpene synthases but further studies are needed to gain insight into how TPS genes are regulated upon acute ozone stress.

Biography:

Plants constantly encounter a wide range of diseases, leading to tremendous crop losses. Plant bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a deadly and complex soil-borne vascular disease of many agronomically important crops worldwide. Control for this disease via traditional practices has been very ineffective. To gather important information and resources potentially useful for disease control, our researches aim to gain insights into molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the interactions among plants, R. solanacearum and biocontrol agents. Through systematic genomic screening, we currently focus on studying the functions and the involved mechanisms of a group of plant and R. solanacearum genes which play crucial roles in plant-pathogen interactions. In addition, resources have been collecting from tentative biocontrol agents, including bacteriophages and symbiotic fungi.

Abstract:

Bacterial wilt (BW) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) is a devastating disease of many crops, and breeding for durable resistance is urgent and important for disease control. Tomato cultivar Hawaii 7996 (H7996) is currently the most stable resistance source for BW control. Although various BW-resistance-associated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been mapped on H7996 chromosomes, the involved molecular mechanisms and the gene identities remain undetermined. Our studies showed that H7996 possesses strong PTI responses, and the major QTL associated with the H7996 resistance against Rs phylotype I strains, namely Bwr12, is involved in PTI. Functional genetic and gene expression analyses further revealed positive roles of Bwr12-A and Bwr12-B in PTI and defense against distinct pathogens. Transient expression assay suggested that 12g520 localizes on the plasma membrane of Nicotinana benthamiana (Nb), while 12g550 might localize on the cell membrane, nucleus or be secreted to the apoplast. Overexpression of 12g550 in transgenic Nb increased H₂O₂ accumulation and resistance to Rs and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc). In addition, 12g520 might not interact with SlSERK3A, SlSERK3B, and SlFLS2 under normal conditions. These results along with future studies are projected to shed light on H7996 defense mechanisms.

Biography:

Federica Della Rovere investigated the mechanisms affecting the initiation and development of adventitious roots in planta and in vitro systems, with a special interest in the genetic control affecting this organogenic process and in particular the definition of stem cell niche of the apical root meristem in Arabidopsis. Another interest is about the somatic embryogenic process in numerous species, and the genetic and hormonal control involved in xylogenesis.

Abstract:

Adventitious roots (ARs) are post-embryonic roots formed in planta by tissues of the primary root in secondary vascular structure and by tissues of the aerial organs. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and its natural precursor indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1), control AR formation in planta and in vitro, however IBA roles have to be elucidated. Arabidopsis thin cell layers (TCL) consist of stem inflorescence tissue external to the vascular system and 10mM IBA applied with 0.1mM Kinetin induce AR formation from stem TCL (2,3). In the Arabidopsis transversal stem cuttings, it has been hypothesized that the induction of AR formation by exogenous IBA occurs by an interaction with the endogenous IAA content (4), but there is no information about the interaction between the two auxins in the TCLs. In Arabidopsis seedlings it has been demonstrated that IBA is sufficient to stimulate IAA transport because PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1) IAA-efflux carrier, AUXIN RESISTANT1 (AUX1) and LIKE AUXIN RESISTANT3 (LAX3) IAA-influx carriers are active also in the presence of IBA alone (5). The WEAK ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE2/ANTHRANILATE SYNTHASE  alpha1 (WEI2/ASA1) and WEI7/ANTHRANILATE SYNTHASE beta1 (ASB1), are genes involved in IAA-biosynthesis and required for AR formation in Arabidopsis seedlings (5). It is unknown whether the same genes are involved in AR-formation by TCLs. The aim of the research was to determine the endogenous levels of IBA and IAA at the onset of the culture in Arabidopsis TCLs. Another aim was to understand whether IBA alone was able to induce AR formation in TCL, whether the IAA transport by PIN1, LAX3, and AUX1 was affected, whether an IBA conversion into IAA was needed, and whether an IAA biosynthesis by WEI2/ASA1 and WEI7/ASB1 was also involved. Results indicate that IBA induced AR-formation by conversion into IAA, with this process involving nitric oxide formation and activity, and by positively affecting IAA-transport and ASA1/ASB1-mediated IAA-biosynthesis. 

Biography:

Hee-Jong Koh has his expertise in rice genetics and breeding for higher yield and better quality. He developed several mutants on morphological and quality traits, and cloned genes responsible for the mutant phenotypes. He has also studied natural variation in yield-related and quality traits demonstrating selection models for better genotypes in rice breeding programs. Recently, he edited a book “Current technologies in plant molecular breeding” published by Springer Verlag.

Abstract:

Starch biosynthesis is one of the most important pathways that determine both grain quality and yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Sugary endosperm, sugary-1 (sug-1), is a mutant trait for starch biosynthesis. Plants carrying sug-1 produce grains that accumulate water-soluble carbohydrates instead of starch, even after maturity. Although this trait confers improved digestibility and enhanced nutritional merits, sugary endosperm rice has not been commercialized due to the severely wrinkled grains and subsequent problems in milling. We performed chemical mutagenesis on the Korean japonica cultivar Hwacheong, and identified a mild sugary mutant, sugary-h (sug-h). Grains of the sug-h mutant were translucent and amber-colored, and the endosperm appeared less wrinkled than sug-1, whereas the soluble sugar content was high. These characteristics confer greater marketability to the sug-h mutant through normal procedures in hulling and milling of rice grains. Genetic analyses indicated that the sug-h mutant phenotype was controlled by complementary interaction of two recessive genes, Isoamylase1 (OsISA1), which was reported previously, and Starch branching enzyme IIa (OsBEIIa), which was newly identified in this study. These results extend our knowledge of the mechanism of starch biosynthesis in rice endosperm, and facilitate the breeding of sugary endosperm rice for better digestibility

Biography:

Hee-Jong Koh has his expertise in rice genetics and breeding for higher yield and better quality. He developed several mutants on morphological and quality traits, and cloned genes responsible for the mutant phenotypes. He has also studied natural variation in yield-related and quality traits demonstrating selection models for better genotypes in rice breeding programs. Recently, he edited a book “Current technologies in plant molecular breeding” published by Springer Verlag.

Abstract:

Starch biosynthesis is one of the most important pathways that determine both grain quality and yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Sugary endosperm, sugary-1 (sug-1), is a mutant trait for starch biosynthesis. Plants carrying sug-1 produce grains that accumulate water-soluble carbohydrates instead of starch, even after maturity. Although this trait confers improved digestibility and enhanced nutritional merits, sugary endosperm rice has not been commercialized due to the severely wrinkled grains and subsequent problems in milling. We performed chemical mutagenesis on the Korean japonica cultivar Hwacheong, and identified a mild sugary mutant, sugary-h (sug-h). Grains of the sug-h mutant were translucent and amber-colored, and the endosperm appeared less wrinkled than sug-1, whereas the soluble sugar content was high. These characteristics confer greater marketability to the sug-h mutant through normal procedures in hulling and milling of rice grains. Genetic analyses indicated that the sug-h mutant phenotype was controlled by complementary interaction of two recessive genes, Isoamylase1 (OsISA1), which was reported previously, and Starch branching enzyme IIa (OsBEIIa), which was newly identified in this study. These results extend our knowledge of the mechanism of starch biosynthesis in rice endosperm, and facilitate the breeding of sugary endosperm rice for better digestibility

Biography:

Jiayan Ye foucs on the study of  plants volatile emission and regulation by the biotic stresses. She tries to establish a quantitative dose-response model of the induced volatile emission  from a wide range of plants by the exogenous  treatment of the MeJA treatment, fungus infection and insect infestation

Abstract:

Past studies have focused on the composition of essential oil of Ocimum basilicum leaves, but data on composition and regulation of its aerial emissions, especially floral volatile emissions are scarce. We studied the chemical profile, within-flower spatial distribution (sepals, petals, pistils with stamina and pedicels), diurnal emission kinetics and effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application on the emission of floral volatiles by dynamic headspace collection and identification using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). We observed more abundant floral emissions from flowers compared with leaves. Sepals were the main emitters of floral volatiles among the flower parts studied. The emissions of lipoxygenase compounds (LOX) and monoterpenoids, but not sesquiterpene emissions, displayed a diurnal variation driven by light. Response to exogenous MeJA treatment of flowers consisted of a rapid stress response and a longer-term acclimation response. The initial response was associated with enhanced emissions of fatty acid derivatives, monoterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoids without variation of the composition of individual compounds. The longer-term response was associated with enhanced monoterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid emissions with profound changes in the emission spectrum. According to correlated patterns of terpenoid emission changes upon stress, highlighted by a hierarchical cluster analysis, candidate terpenoid synthases responsible for observed diversity and complexity of released terpenoid blends were postulated. We conclude that flower volatile emissions differ quantitatively and qualitatively from leaf emissions, and overall contribute importantly to O. basilicum flavor, especially under stress conditions.

Biography:

Minkyun Kim is professor in Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

Abstract:

Among the many miRNAs involved in plant stress responses, miR399 is well known to be involved in controlling phosphate homeostasis by down-regulating the expression of PHO2, which encodes the ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzyme, UBC24, in Arabidopsis. In this study, to understand the expression of the rice OsmiR399 genes under abiotic stress conditions, the expression of the eleven OsmiR399 (a-k) genes was studied by analyzing the levels of their precursor transcripts (pre-miRNAs) in the roots and shoots of rice seedlings subjected to the stress-responsive phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). We found that the OsmiR399 genes showed different patterns in pre-miRNA accumulation. In particular, OsmiR399b, OsmiR399d, OsmiR399e, and OsmiR399f showed high and steady accumulation in both the roots and shoots regardless of ABA treatments. However, OsmiR399c and OsmiR399k showed ABA-induced expression in the whole plant body or aerial part of the rice seedlings. In addition, to test the possibility that the putative rice PHO2 ortholog of Arabidopsis, also known as LEAF TIP NECROSIS 1 (LTN1), might be down-regulated by the multiple OsmiR399s with certain sequence divergences, four different lines of transgenic rice plants that overexpress either the constitutively expressed OsmiR399s (OsmiR399d and OsmiR399f) or the ABA-inducible OsmiR399s (OsmiR399c and OsmiR399k) were produced and the levels of OsmiR399 pre-miRNAs and LTN1 transcripts were analyzed. A significant decrease in the accumulation of LTN1 transcripts and an increase in the OsmiR399 pre-miRNAs levels were found in all of the transgenic plants. Based on these results, we concluded that LTN1 is down-regulated by multiple OsmiR399 genes in rice.

Biography:

Ju-Kon Kim, Professor in Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology, Seoul National University, is the Director of Crop Biotechnology Institute, where he worked since 2013. He obtained his PhD on Plant Molecular Biology in 1992 at Cornell University of USA. Current research is concentrated on discovering novel genes for drought tolerance of rice with special attention to crop biotechnology by integrating genomics and phenomics approaches, characterizing key regulators in stress tolerance.

Abstract:

Drought, a common environmental constraint, induces a range of physiological, biochemical and molecular changes in plants, and can cause severe reductions in crop yield. Consequently, understanding the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance is an important step towards crop biotechnology. Here, we report that the rice (Oryza sativa) homeodomain-leucine zipper class IV transcription factor gene, Rice outermost cell-specific gene 10 (Roc10), enhances drought tolerance and grain yield by increasing lignin accumulation in ground tissues. Overexpression of Roc10 in rice significantly increased drought tolerance at the vegetative stages of growth and promoted both more effective photosynthesis and a reduction in water loss rate, compared with non-transgenic controls or RNAi transgenic plants. Importantly, Roc10 overexpressing plants had a higher drought tolerance at the reproductive stage of growth and a higher grain yield compared with the controls under field-drought conditions. Roc10 is mainly expressed in outer cell layers including the epidermis and the vasculature of the shoots, which coincides with areas of cell wall lignification. Roc10 overexpression elevated the expression levels of lignin biosynthetic genes in shoots, with a concomitant increase in the accumulation of lignin, while the overexpression and RNAi lines showed opposite patterns of lignin accumulation. We identified downstream target genes of Roc10 by performing RNA-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq analyses of shoot tissues. Roc10 was found to directly bind to the promoter of PEROXIDASEN/PEROXIDASE38, a key gene in lignin biosynthesis. Together, our findings suggest that Roc10 confers drought stress tolerance by promoting lignin biosynthesis in ground tissues.

Biography:

Shuai Li is currently working as a junior researcher at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. His research focuses on the impact of abiotic stress such as ozone, heat stress on the emissions of volatile organic compound (VOC) from leaves and flowers. 

Abstract:

Exposure to acute ozone (O₃) concentrations results in elicitation of key stress volatiles methanol, products of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway and methyl salicylate (VOC), but it is unclear how different ozone doses later the timing and rate of elicitation of emissions of different stress volatiles, and how priming responses can modify the magnitude and kinetics of stress volatile emissions in short and long term. Our work reveals that methanol and LOX product emissions were induced rapidly after O₃ exposure, but no MeSA emission and lower LOX emissions were detected in plants first pre-exposed to lower O₃ concentration, and the maximum emission rates and the total amount of emissions of LOX products and both methanol emission bursts were quantitatively correlated with stomatal O₃ uptake, but elicited MeSA emissions did not depend on O₃ dose. Timing of elicitation was only moderately altered by O₃ dose with LOX emissions elicited earlier in the most severe treatment and secondary emission elicited later for O₃-priming treatment. The stomatal closure due to darkness and pre-exposure to low-level ozone protect leaves against high-level ozone-induced injury in Phaseolus vulgaris, suggesting the important implications for understanding plant response to O₃ in natural environments where both light and ozone concentrations strongly vary during the day and among the days, and could drive ecological success of different sensitive groups in response to environmental changes.

Biography:

Marilena Ronzan is a PhD student in Botany at the University La Sapienza in Rome, specialized in the response of plants to Arsenic and Cadmium contamination. In her Master Thesis she studied the response of the hyperaccumulator fern pteris vittata to the presence of Cadmium alone or combined with As (Ronzan et al., 2016).Her PhD project is focused on the hormonal response, in particular of auxin and jasmonates, in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana after exposure to As and Cd.

She is interested in understanding the response of plants to a frequent cause of soil and water contamination in order to find solutions to prevent or at least reduce the effect of such elements in plant production and their presence in the food chain. 

Abstract:

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) soil and water contamination is a frequent cause of stress for plants, especially for the cereal crop Oryza sativa. The root is the first organ to respond to the presence of these toxic elements and often to be severely damaged. In general, plant response to abiotic stress involves phytohormones which in turn coordinate arrays of plant growth and developmental programs (1). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a key regulator of many aspects of plant growth and development, especially for the maintenance of the quiescent centre (QC) cells in the root apex (2). Jasmonic acid (JA), a lipid derived phytohormone, is an important plant growth regulator with versatile functions in the development and in the response to environmental stress (3). Sun and coworkers reported in   Arabidopsis thaliana plants a relation between IAA and Jasmonates (JAs), methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) in particular. (4). IAA and JA have been suggested to interact in the presence of abiotic stress, but the effects of this interaction needs further investigation. The aim of this research was to understand the crosstalk between auxin and JAs in the presence of As and Cd. For this purpose, we carried out different experiments using the JA biosynthetic mutant coleoptile photomorphogenesis 2 (Cpm2) (3). Morphological and histological analyses of wild type (ssp. japonica, cv. Nihonmasari) and Cpm2 plants were carried out after exposure to As and/or Cd. Furthermore, IAA-sensitive OsDR5::GUS plants (5), treated with As and/or Cd and different MeJA concentrations, were analyzed. qRT-PCR analyses of the expression of some JAs biosynthetic genes after exposure to As and/or Cd were carried out. All together the results suggest that As and Cd interfere with auxin and JAs during root formation in rice. 

Biography:

Shuai Li is currently working as a junior researcher at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. His research focuses on the impact of abiotic stress such as ozone, heat stress on the emissions of volatile organic compound (VOC) from leaves and flowers

Abstract:

Glandular trichomes on leaves store and secrete high amounts of secondary metabolites and are thought to play an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress. However, little is known about the function of glandular trichomes with respect to oxidative stresses such as ozone stress. The aim of the present study was to characterize the morphology and density of trichomes in 15 species and to evaluate their antioxidant role against ozone stress. We investigated the structure and density of glandular trichomes and ozone-induced visible leaf damage and changes in physiological parameters such as net assimilation rate (An), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll fluorescence and lipoxygenase pathway products (LOX products) emissions from leaves under ozone stress. We show that both peltate and capitate glandular trichomes play a critical role in reducing leaf ozone uptake. Species with low trichome density were more sensitive to ozone stress and more vulnerable to ozone damage compared with species with high trichome density, which are more ozone tolerant. These results demonstrate that glandular trichomes at the leaf surface constitute a major factor in reducing ozone toxicity stress and function as a chemical barrier which improves the ozone tolerance of plants.

Biography:

Lianfeng Zhu conducted researches on rice high yield production and physiology with emphasis on improving nutrient use efficiency, root function and identifying the morphological traits and physiological processes that limit the advance of rice yield potential in the irrigated ecosystem at CNRRI. His group have developed an aerated water irrigation method which has obtained a national invention patent and published papers. His current researches focus on improving the nutrient use efficiency and reducing the nitrogen fertilizer input in rice production. Under the support of National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, He conducts experiments to study the regulation mechanism of rhizosphere oxygen on nitrogen transform and nitrogen metabolism of rice. Simultaneously, try to develop a high-yielding rice cultivation technique with reduced nitrogen input and improved nitrogen use efficiency based on the regulation of rhizosphere oxygen concentration.

Abstract:

Glandular trichomes on leaves store and secrete high amounts of secondary metabolites and are thought to play an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress. However, little is known about the function of glandular trichomes with respect to oxidative stresses such as ozone stress. The aim of the present study was to characterize the morphology and density of trichomes in 15 species and to evaluate their antioxidant role against ozone stress. We investigated the structure and density of glandular trichomes and ozone-induced visible leaf damage and changes in physiological parameters such as net assimilation rate (An), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll fluorescence and lipoxygenase pathway products (LOX products) emissions from leaves under ozone stress. We show that both peltate and capitate glandular trichomes play a critical role in reducing leaf ozone uptake. Species with low trichome density were more sensitive to ozone stress and more vulnerable to ozone damage compared with species with high trichome density, which are more ozone tolerant. These results demonstrate that glandular trichomes at the leaf surface constitute a major factor in reducing ozone toxicity stress and function as a chemical barrier which improves the ozone tolerance of plants.

Biography:

Silit Lazare is a PhD student, exploring flower bulbs physiology and development. She has a long and extensive experience in growing geophytes and other ornamentals as an agronomist of commercial nurseries. Her scientific research is focusing on several aspects of plant physiology- growth and flowering control, meristems' morphogenesis, flower development, metabolism and more. Her novel theory regarding flowering pathways in Lilium longiflorum shakes the scientific knowledge and offers an improved agricultural practice to grow this crop.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: It is generally accepted that Lilium longiflorum has an obligatory requirement for vernalization and that long day (LD) regime hastens flowering. However, the effect of bulb size and origin, with respect to axillary or apical meristem on flowering, as well as the interactions between these meristems are largely unknown.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of bulb size, vernalization and photoperiod on L. longiflorum flowering. To this end, we applied vernalization and photoperiod treatments on the different bulb sizes and used a system of constant ambient temperature of 25^oC, above vernalization spectrum, to avoid cold-dependent floral induction during plant growth.  Findings: Vernalization and LD hasten flowering in all bulbs. Large, non-vernalized bulbs invariably remained at a vegetative stage. However, small non-vernalized bulbs flowered under LD conditions. Metabolomic profiling revealed a significant effect of a metabolic pathway on the difference between large and small bulbs.

Conclusion & Significance: The results demonstrate that cold exposure is not an obligatory requisite for L. longiflorum flowering, and that an alternative flowering pathway can by-pass vernalization in small bulbs. We suggest that apical dominance interactions determine the distinct flowering pathways of the apical and the axillary meristems, and that biosynthesis of a specific metabolite is the mechanism of this phenomenon. These innovative findings in the field of geophyte floral induction represent valuable applicative knowledge for lily production.

Biography:

Zahra Sadat Shobbar is a lecturee in Department, Agriculture Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran,  Iran

Abstract:

Drought is one of the main constraints limiting plant production. Barley is an important crop in many developing countries, where it is often exposed to severe drought stress. Barley is also known as a proper model species for abiotic stress related studies.The current research sheds light on the role of stem fructan remobilization on yield maintenance of barley under terminal drought conditions, while current photosynthesis is very limited during grain filling stage.Morocco and Yousef as drought susceptible and tolerant cultivars of barley were grown under well watered conditions until anthesis; when the drought treatment was started by withholding water. Then, peduncle, penultimate and lower internodes were sampled from well-watered and drought-stressed plants at 7-days intervals.

Yousef had significantly higher stomatal conductance, relative water content, leaf temperature, osmotic adjustment and grain yield. Maximum accumulation and remobilization of reserves was found in penultimate followed by lower internodes and peduncle. Total carbohydrate, fructan, sucrose, glucose and fructose concentration was higher significantly in the penultimate of Yousef plants under both of drought and well-water conditions than Moroco genotype.

Drought stress increased the fructan accumulation and remobilization rate in the penultimate internode of Yousef. A strong correlation was observed between the relative expression of fructan biosynthesis genes (1-SST and 6-SFT) with the fructan content and also, expression of fructan exohydrolase (1-FEH) and sucrose transporter (SUT1) genes with fructan remobilization in the tolerant cultivar during grain filling under drought stress.

Based on the achieved results, enhanced fructan accumulation and its induced remobilization under drought condition can play an important role in yield stability of Yousef under stress and current photosynthesis limitations. The genetic variation among barley cultivars in terms of the accumulation and remobilization mechanisms of stem carbon reserves indicated the possibility of improvement in these traits in plant breeding programs.

Biography:

Since 1990 joining the Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, he has been involved with studies related to cotton germplasm identification, innovation and biodiversity research, focusing on resistant on cotton germplasm, such as sanility- and draught-resistance. He is responsible for the coordination of identification and implementation of cotton germplasm identification center in China

Abstract:

Soil salinization has become a serious global problem affecting the agricultural development and the ecological environment. Salinity，as one of the most important abiotic stresses in the world, severely limits the production of crop. Saline-alkali land in our country is widely distributed with the character of multi types and serious salt-deposition. In order to carry out the utilization of saline-alkali land efficiently, it is necessary to develop the agriculture on the saline-alkali land. Cotton, as a pioneer crop in saline-alkali land, should be paid more efforts to conduct the mechanism research of salt-tolerance and to breed new tolerant varieties. Identification of salinity-tolerance plays a vital role on cotton breeding. The abiotic-tolerant identification methods used before, mainly based on morphological characters, were usually restricted for time-wasting and labor-costing, environment influence, and seasonal restrictions. A new set of preliminary methods system, called SSR multi-markers salinity-identification method, was initially established to identify salinity tolerance of cotton by the standardization of the whole process of seedling nursing, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, amplification products detecting, and marker-combination. Another 11 materials were used to testify this method, which showed the coincidence of 90.91% in consistence with the identification result of 0.4%NaCl identification method. This study showed that the multi-markers identification method was proved to be used to assist identify the salinity tolerance of cotton germplasm. Seven salt-tolerance related genes, H⁺-pyrophosphatase gene and S-adenosylmethionine synthetase gene and others, were cloned from the salt-tolerance material on Gossypium hirsutum, which were named GhVP and GhSAMS, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis and their transformed accessions were tested and identified

Biography:

Sachesh Silwal is doing masters in agriculture at CQUniversity Australia. He is investigating the effect of supplementary irrigation and rainfed system in dry and wet tropics of Queensland, Australia. He has long research experience of participatory plant breeding and on-farm agrobiodiversity management.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Rice is adapted to diverse environments such as in tropical lowlands in flooded conditions and in upland rainfed conditions in aerobic soils with little or no puddled water. Rainfed rice systems are becoming more relevant in the context of the seasonal unpredictability of rainfall and declining access to irrigation water for the rice industry in Australia.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Field experiments were conducted during the 2015 wet season at Alton Downs, central Queensland (dry tropics) and South Johnstone, north Queensland (wet tropics), to compare varietal performance in the drier and wetter tropics of Australia. The yield performance of varieties was evaluated and related to yield determining physiological, phenological and agronomic traits. At Alton Downs the rainfall was very low during the flowering and grain filling stages, which exposed the late flowering crop to terminal drought. In contrast, in the wet tropics of South Johnstone, the rainfall amount and distribution exceeded well above the crop evapotranspiration demand during the experiment. Findings: The results suggest that the earlier varieties such as AAT 4 and AAT 6 were higher yielders under Alton Downs conditions, but the late flowering and least yielding varieties under Alton Downs conditions, such as AAT 15 and AAT 18, were among the highest yielders in South Johnstone, with their yields greater by 6–20 fold that of Alton Downs. The greater yield of these later varieties at South Johnstone was due to the higher effective tiller number per plant, heavier 1000 grain weight, and greater harvest index, and higher panicle fertility and higher number of grains per panicle. Additionally, the enhanced leaf photosynthetic rate and WUE were coupled with increased flag leaf area, which had a significant contribution to yield under favourable soil moisture conditions in the wet tropical environment of South Johnstone.

Biography:

Taoufik Ksiksi is an Associate Professor (Plant Ecology) working at the UAE University. He deals with the impact of environmental factors/stresses on eco-physiological parameters of desert plants. Karthishwaran Kandhan is Post-Doctoral fellow at the UAEU. His expertise relates to the assessment of phytochemicals on plants species

Abstract:

Convolvulus virgatus Boiss (Family: Convolvulaceae) are annual or perennial herbaceous vines, bines and woody shrubs, growing in the United Arab Emirates. The present study aims to explore the phytochemical screening, proximate analysis, estimate of total phenolics, flavonoids and to evaluate antioxidant potential of C. virgatus aerial parts. Further, the plant extract was tested for the free radical scavenging activity such as 2, 2-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radical decolorization, DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl), hydroxyl and nitric oxide radical. The dried powdered leaves of C. virgatus (500 g) were extracted with chloroform and then fractionated into ethyl acetate and methanol. Folin Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods were used to estimate total phenolic and  avonoid content of extracts. ABTS+ (2, 2-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical decolorization, DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl), hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical were used to determine the free radical scavenging activity. The obtained results from the phytochemical analyses of chloroform extract showed presence of major classes of  phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, terpenoids, saponin, phenols and phlobatannins. Additionally, the methanol fraction was found to contain the highest phenolic content and flavonoids. In vitro free radical scavenging activities of all the extracts were significant and comparable with the standard ascorbic acid. The results revealed positive linear correlations between these phytochemicals and the free radical scavenging activities. In short, our findings provide evidence that the different extract possess a potential antioxidants properties, which justifies its uses in folkloric medicine. The results reported here also show that the aerial parts of C. virgatus are a rich source of phenolic compounds that can play an important role in preventing the progression of a variety of illnesses.

Biography:

Youlu Yuan has been involved with studies related to cotton hybrid vigor and molecular marker assisted selection about fiber quality, focus on cotton variety molecular design, especially on excellent fiber quality variety development. Since 2013 worked as a Director of Bio-technology Research Department and PI of cotton variety molecular design unit.  

Abstract:

Cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum L.) is widely grown in the world as it can provide renewable natural fiber resources for the global textile industry and human’s life. Technological developments in the textile industry and improvements in human living standards have increased the requirement for supplies and better quality cotton. Upland cotton 0-153 is an elite cultivar harboring strong fiber strength genes. To conduct quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for fiber quality in 0-153, we developed a population of 196 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between 0-153 and sGK9708. Three method, new SSR marker, cotton 63K chips and specific locus amplified fragment sequencing were used to construct a high-density genetic map with the RIL population. Map constructed by SSR markers harbored 997 markers with a total genetic distance of 4,110 cM with an average distance of 5.2 cM between adjacent markers. A total of 165 QTLs of fiber quality traits were identified with this map and 47 of them was stable ones which could be detected in at least three environments.  a high-density genetic map was constructed by combining the three kinds of markers. This map harbored 8295 markers, spanned a total distance of 5056.96 cM and could cover the genome of upland cotton. The average distance between adjusts markers was 0.86cM. Based on the construction of the high density map, the genetic regulation and the relation of the fiber quality traits  and the yield traits  could be explained. Further study such as identifying the functioning genes, pyramiding breeding, could be facilitated. These could make a contribution to improving the yield and the fiber quality at the same time.

Biography:

Rui Zong Jia is a professor in Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, China Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, 

Abstract:

Shortage of mobility, plant must endure a variety of biotic stress beside abiotic stress such as pathogens infection, insects bites etc. Plants possess two distinct, but complementary defense mechanisms against pathogen attack (1). The first mechanism is passive, consisting of preformed barriers such as the cuticle and cell walls. The second defense mechanism, also known as an active defense response, involves coordination of diverse genetic and physiological reactions, analogous to a counterattack (2), of which systemic defense including: systemic acquired resistance (SAR), induced systemic resistance (ISR), and wound induced resistance (WIR) (3). Analogous to innate immune system of animal, plant processes SAR response following exposure to a pathogen. Three small molecular: jasmonate acid (JA), salicylate acid (SA), and ethylene (ET) play key roles in the regulation of signaling network. A greater understanding of the JA, SA, and ET signaling pathway cross talk provide insight of mechanism of plant-pathogen interaction.

Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) are known to play key roles in plants in the regulation of signaling pathways that are involved in induced defense response against biotrophic- /necrotrophic- pathogens and insect herbivores. Investigation via proteomic study on two papaya cultivar ‘Kamiya’ (resistance), ‘SunUp’(susceptible) against to biotrophic pathogen Phytophthroa palmivora revealed that monooxygenase (MON) and lipoxygenease (LOX) related to JA and SA biosynthesis protein upregulated in ‘Kamiya’, these gene expressed comfirmed with qPCR along with PR1 and PDF genes, the JA and SA pathway marker genes respectively. The key regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), non-expresser of pathogenesesis-related gene 1 (NPR1), were overexpressed into papaya. By trigging with P. palmivora, a functional analog of SA, benzo (1, 2, 3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-metholy ester (BTH), and an elicitor from cell wall of Phytophthora, Pep-13 polypeptides, our results confirmed that NPR1 gene play a synergistic fashion between the SA- and JA- signaling pathway. A modified defense signaling pathway was proposed as that regulatory interaction of SA- and JA- pathway were complementary, but not additive nor anatogentic in papaya against to P. palmivora.

Biography:

Dr. Caroline Janitz is the manager of the Next-Generation Sequencing Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Along with supervising her team, Caroline is responsible for both the development and implementation of technological improvements in the NGS pipeline. She joined Western Sydney University in 2011 after working with the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at the UNSW Australia in Sydney, where she established and led the Illumina next-generation sequencing division. At both institutions, Caroline had a leading role in acquisition of the Illumina CSPro (Certified Service Provider) accreditation status. Caroline acquired her PhD in molecular genetics from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans Lehrach, the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Her PhD thesis focused on an investigation of the molecular mechanism of renal damage in the course of rat hypertension using laser microdissection and Affymetrix gene expression profiling.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Over the past few years next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been broadly implemented across diverse research areas. Despite increasing sequencing throughput, sample preparation still remains a technical challenge. Slight modifications to the template preparation protocol may improve the quality of sequencing data and lead to a reduction in sequencing costs. We will present a number of improvements in template preparation protocol with examples from a variety of NGS applications.In metagenomics projects, un-normalised input DNA from different treatments can significantly affect sequencing outcomes at species level leading to a biased diversity estimate.

The main challenge for epigenetic NGS projects is a relatively high duplicate rate which results from the necessity for an increased number of PCR cycles frequently required to obtain enough material for sequencing. A simple reduction in the number of unnecessary PCR cycles can significantly diminish the duplicate rate resulting in enhanced ChIP-Seq data quality. Strand-specific RNA-Seq has been widely implemented in the field of transcriptomics, although template preparation still remains challenging, particularly for clinical samples. We will demonstrate that the implementation of minor improvements to the template preparation protocol results in dramatic amelioration in the quality of sequencing output

Biography:

Fernando Broetto has her expertise in Plant biochemistry, master's and PhD at São Paulo University (USP), Brazil. From 1991, research and teaching at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. Has experience in Agronomy, focusing on Physiology of cultivated Plants, acting on the following subjects: medicinal plants, plant metabolism, Stress responses

Abstract:

In this research, we evaluated biometric changes in coffee plants (cv. Obatã and cv. Catucaí) cultivated under water deficiency (WD). The trial was conducted in a greenhouse with coffee young plants growing in 5L pots and irrigated by drip system. The plants were submitted to water deficiency with three irrigation depths: L1-25%, L2-50% and L3-100% (5 repetitions) of the water requirement of the crop (WCN), applied in two cycles of water deficiency and interspersed with a reconditioning period. The results indicate that in the adaptation period, the plants of both coffee cultivars did not present significative differences for all analyzed growth parameters (p≤0.05), where cv. Catucaí showed better results. Likewise, there was no difference in plant height, number of leaves, FW and DW of leaves and leaf area of the two cultivars. In the first cycle of stress, mainly for L1 there was decrease of the FW and DW of root and stem, as well as diameter of stem in response to the treatment. The cv. Catucaí was higher in relation to cv. Obatã for biometric parameters. For stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of stem, plant height and number of leaves, there was a difference due to water treatments. In the second HD cycle, it was verified that only the number of leaves was lower for cv. Obatã. Regarding the effect of the treatments, except for the number of leaves and height of plants for cv. Obatã, all other parameters showed differences (p≤ .05) according to HD severity, with emphasis on L1 treatment. These results indicate that this cultivar is more sensitive to lack of water. It was also concluded that the recovery period between the DH cycles did not produce a new tolerance pattern regarding biometry, regardless of the cultivar

Biography:

Petronia Carillo is an associate professor of plant physiology at the University of Campania, Italy. She has a strong theoretical and practical background in plant physiology, plant molecular biology, enzymology and metabolite profiling. Her research interests are centered on the interactions between nitrogen assimilation and carbon metabolism, and their short-term and long-term control mechanisms in photosynthetic organisms (unicellular algae and plants). At present, her main focus is the metabolite profiling of crop plants and plant model systems for the comprehension of the fundamental plant molecular and physiological responses to salinity, instrumental for developing new strategies to improve salt tolerance in agricultural crops. Since 2001, she collaborates with researchers of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam, Germany, for developing new high-throughput methods to measure enzyme activities and metabolites in plants. She is also interested in the valorization and reuse of agricultural residues in a bio-economy perspective

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Plant responses to salinity and drought stresses have been extensively studied to provide new metabolic targets and improving the tolerance to adverse environments. Most of these studies have been performed in growth chambers under the minimum requirement of light sufficient for the maximum photosynthetic efficiency and growth (300–350 μmol m^–2 s^–1 PAR), despite in nature plants face frequently fluctuations of light intensities exceeding their photosynthetic capacity. High light and salinity can be potentially dangerous for the impairment of the plants antioxidant defense mechanisms causing a strong increase of intracellular ROS and oxidative stress. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In this study durum wheat seedlings were used as experimental model to investigate the plant response to salinity (100 mM NaCl), high light (900 μmol m^–2 s^–1) or both stresses simultaneously, focusing on the physiological and metabolic changes potentially involved in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense. Conclusion & Significance: Simultaneous high light and salinity did not cause many specific changes in durum wheat plants, which anyway maintained their viability and photosynthetic efficiency. They fine-tuned relatively few selected metabolites, in particular GABA, amides, minor amino acids, hexoses and proline, which were probably the main responsible for the osmotic adjustment, the biochemical pH-stat, the assimilation of the excess of ammonium, the scavenging of ROS and the signaling under the two stresses. However, even if this study concerns responses of seedlings rather than grain, the simultaneous several fold increase in the concentration of asparagine and hexoses if maintained until grain maturation, could be prone to acrylamide formation during baking and have possible serious food safety implication

Biography:

Dr. Caroline Janitz is the manager of the Next-Generation Sequencing Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Along with supervising her team, Caroline is responsible for both the development and implementation of technological improvements in the NGS pipeline. She joined Western Sydney University in 2011 after working with the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at the UNSW Australia in Sydney, where she established and led the Illumina next-generation sequencing division. At both institutions, Caroline had a leading role in acquisition of the Illumina CSPro (Certified Service Provider) accreditation status. Caroline acquired her PhD in molecular genetics from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans Lehrach, the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Her PhD thesis focused on an

Abstract:

Thinking about accelerating your research by implementing the next-generation sequencing technology? Having some questions related to your current NGS project?

Please join us for 1-hour free consultation session led by the NGS specialist- Caroline Janitz, the manager of the NGS Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Caroline has ten years’ experience in NGS field with over 300 successfully completed projects. It will be a great opportunity to discuss details of your project including the sample submission guidelines, library preparation and troubleshooting. The NGS session will take place…

Biography:

Mi Kyeong Lee is interested in the values of plants and natural products. Her main research is the isolation and characterization of constituents as well as the evaluation of biological activities of natural products. Recently, she is focused on the diversity of plants, such as different parts of plants, different maturation stages and post-harvest process.

Abstract:

Bee pollen is flower pollen collected by bees with nectar and salivary substances and rich in nutrients. It has been used as traditional medicine and supplementary nutrients with diverse activities. Recently, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of bee pollen extract have been reported. For the characterization of constituents of compounds from bee pollen, isolation of compounds from the bee pollen of Quercus mongolica were conducted using a various column chromatography and their structures were determined by 1D-NMR (1H NMR and 13C NMR), 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) and HRESI-TOF-MS. Investigation resulted in the isolation of 38 compounds including 18 polyamines and 19 flavonoids. Polyamines were further divided into two putrescines, fifteen spermidines and one spermine. Flavonoids were further grouped as one flavanone, 15 flavones and one isoflavonoid. Among them, seven polyamines were first reported from nature; One putrescine, N¹-(E)-N⁶-(Z)-di-p-coumaroyl-putrescine named mogolicine A, five spermidines, N¹-acetyl-N⁵,N¹⁰-(E)-di-p-4-methoxycinnamoyl-spemidine, N¹-acetyl-N⁵-(Z), N¹⁰-(E)-di-p-4-methoxycinnamoyl-spermidine, N¹-acetyl-N⁵,N¹⁰-(Z)-di-p-4-methoxycinnamoyl-spermidine, N¹-(E),N⁵-(Z),N¹⁰-(E)-tri-p-4-methoxycinnamoyl-spermidine and N¹-p-anisamide-N⁵-(Z),N¹⁰-(E)-di-p-4-methoxycinnamoyl-spermidine, named mogolidines  A-F, and one spermine, N¹,N⁵,N¹⁰,N¹⁴-(E)-tetra-p-coumaroylspermine named mogolidine A.   The isolated compounds showed antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity. Interestingly, polyamines showed more strong inhibition on tyrosnase with IC₅₀ values of 19.5-31.7 µM whereas flavonoids showed potent antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.7-34.3 µM. These results provide useful information about bee pollen as antioxidant ingredients and cosmetic therapeutics to reduce oxidative stress and hyperpigmentation.

Biography:

Professor Djebbar Atmani is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Bejaia (Algeria). He obtained his Master of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles (USA) in 1987 and his PhD from the University of Sétif (Algeria) in 2004. His research interest is natural products from medicinal plants. He published more than thirty papers in high impact scientific journals and attended several seminars and symposia worldwide

Abstract:

Phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, present in many plants have received much attention in recent years due to their health benefits, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. This study was conducted to determine the biological properties of Pistacia and Fraxinus angustifolia, two plants used in traditional Algerian medicine.

The investigation of the cytotoxic effect of plant extracts was carried out using the MTT assay on two ovarian A2780 and SKOV3 cell lines, the melanoma B16F10 and the mammary EMT6 tumor cell lines. A PI staining has been done for the study of apoptosis and cell cycle. The results showed a great cytotoxic potential against A2780, SKOV3 and B16F10 cells with IC₅₀ values of 10 µg/ml, 18 µg/ml and 56.40 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, these extracts exhibited an increase in G1 and S phases for SKOV3 and B16F10 cells. Furthermore, P. lentiscus and F. angustifolia extracts, exhibited a promising anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, by the reduction of blood glucose level, a result confirmed by the inhibition of alpha-amylase in vitro.

   In addition, the results of the anti-inflammatory activity of P. lentiscus and F. angustifolia showed significant reduction of the paw edema induced by carrageenan. P. lentiscus extracts showed a significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β) on activated macrophages. Moreover, the extracts of F. angustifolia, significantly inhibited ear edema induced by single and multiple doses of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA).  In vivo, the vesicles loaded with the crude extract of F. angustifolia and especially PEVs (Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles) inhibited oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and attenuated edema and leukocyte infiltration. HPLC-MS analyses allowed the identification of new phenolic compounds.

Overall, results indicate that Pistacia lentiscus and Fraxinus angustifolia extracts could be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and diabetes complications, as evidenced by the present study.

Biography:

Dina Atmani-Kilani has obtained her BS degree in Biology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, her master degree in Biology from Cal State LA, USA and her PhD from the University of Bejaia, Algeria. Her teaching activities in the fields of Molecular Biology and Genetics since 1990 in the University of Bejaia has provided her with a lot of experience. Furthermore, her implication in research in the field of medicinal plants with the collaboration of her colleagues has allowed many PhD students to obtain their degree and resulted in many international publications. As her conviction that medicinal plants research will lead to the development of novel drugs with better efficiency than synthetic medicines, she hopes that her contribution will be fruitful.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Gastric ulcer is a widely distributed disease characterized by lesions in the gastric mucosa leading to inflammatory condition and an  increase in oxidative stress. Clematis flammula (Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant largely used by rural populations in Algeria to treat inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. However, its use against gastric ulcer is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the gastroprotective effect of the leaves ethanolic extract of C. flammula in an animal model.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Gastric ulcer was induced by indomethacin (25mg/kg) in male mice, one hour after the administration of ethanolic extracts of C. flammula at different concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200mg/kg) and the reference drugs misoprostol  Omeprazole and Bromazepam. The anti-ulcer activity of the extracts was evaluated by the estimation of the ulcer score (UC), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione and MDA levels in the tissue homogenates of the stomach.  Histological analysis boosted by the extract, mainly at 100 mg/kg from 16.68±0.96µmoles/mg/min in the indomethacin-treated group to 28.99±3.2 comparable to misoprostole (26.4±2.49µmoles/mg/min) administered at 200µg/Kg misoprostol. The depletion of glutathione level by indomethacin (2.76±0.63 μmoles/mg prot) in the ulcerated group was prevented by the pre-treatment with 100mg/kg of Clematis flammula leaves extract and was restored to a normal level (30.95 ± 2.76 μmoles/mg prot). Histological analysis confirmed the results.

Conclusion & Significance: These results prove that the antioxidant activity of the plant contributes to its gastroprotective potential was also performed to confirm the results

Biography:

Dr. Yuchan Zhou is a plant scientist with interest in the genetic and environmental control of plant development. Her current research focus is to improve climate resilience of tropical tree crops through a better understanding of the diversity and molecular basis of tree architecture. Her other research area includes functional genomics of nutrient accumulation in developing fruits and seeds, the biology and management of postharvest food loss and stress tolerance.

Abstract:

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional staple tree crop in the Oceania. Susceptibility to tropical windstorm damage has driven an interest in developing breadfruit with dwarf stature.  Gibberellin (GA) is one of the most important determinants of plant height.  As a first step toward understanding the molecular mechanism of growth regulation in the species, we investigated the role of GA and the regulation of GA20-oxidase and  GA2-oxidase genes in breadfruit.  We provided first evidence that the stem elongation in breadfruit could be manipulated by exogenous gibberellin-related growth regulators. We then cloned six GA20-oxidase cDNAs, AaGA20ox1- AaGA20ox6, and four GA2-oxidase cDNAs, AaGA2ox1- AaGA2ox4 in full-length from breadfruit.  AaGA20ox1, AaGA20ox3 and AaGA20ox4 were predominantly expressed in green vegetative organs, but displayed different expression pattern in roots and reproductive organs.  AaGA20ox2, AaGA20ox5 and AaGA20ox6 were expressed mainly in leaves at low level. On the other hand, transcripts of AaGA2ox1, AaGA2ox2 and AaGA2ox3 were detected in all plant organs, but exhibited highest level in source leaves and stems. In contrast, transcript of AaGA2ox4 was predominantly expressed in roots and flowers, and displayed very low expression in leaves and stems.  AaGA20ox1, AaGA20ox3 - AaGA20ox6 and AaGA2ox1 - AaGA2ox3, were subjected to GA feedback regulation following treatment of exogenous gibberellin and/or gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors.  Members of AaGA20oxs and AsGA2oxs were also regulated under drought and salinity stress.  The function of these genes is discussed with particular reference to their role in stem elongation and the opportunities of breadfruit dwarfing

Biography:

Laura Fattorini is assistant professor in Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Abstract:

The semimetal arsenic (As) and the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) are highly toxic for plants and animals, evoking enormous concern due to their widespread and persistent presence in polluted ecosystems. Both elements are not essential for plants but easily absorbed by their roots using the same membrane transporters of essential nutrients (1). The exposure to Cd or As causes inhibition of plant growth, especially in sensitive plants as Arabidopsis thaliana, the model species used in this research.

It was reported that Cd and As mainly localize in root meristems (2, 3). The correct organization and functionality of primary (PR), lateral (LR) and adventitious (AR) roots depends on the integrity of their apical meristem, and, in particular, on the correct activity and maintenance over time of a small group of cells which rarely divide, i.e. the quiescent centre (QC) cells. The QC inhibits the differentiation of the surrounding stem cells, allowing the apical root growth and the correct root differentiation (4). In A. thaliana LR and AR originate from pericycle founder cells in the PR and hypocotyl, respectively, and their QC is established in a precise stage of primordium development (5, and references therein). It was demonstrated that the positioning and maintenance of the QC in these roots is strictly related to a correct transport and biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (6), the main plant auxin. To the aim to investigate the effect of Cd and As on auxin-mediated LR and AR development and QC maintenance, the expression of the IAA-sensitive DR5::GUS, of QC25::GUS (QC-marker), of the auxin biosynthetic gene YUCCA6, of the IAA carriers GUS-lines PIN1::GUS and LAX3::GUS and IAA levels in seedlings exposed to Na₂HAsO₄^.7H₂O and/or CdSO₄ were evaluated. Results indicate that Cd and As alter auxin biosynthesis and transport during root formation, with consequent negative effects on their growth.

Biography:

Sergey Dolgov the head of laboratory of expression systems and plant genome modification “Biotron”. During last 25 years the technologies of in vitro cultivation of isolated cells, tissues and organs on artificial media have been developed for more than plant 30 species. Highly effective methods of genetic transformation have been developed for a large number of plants (carrots, tomatoes, pears, apples, strawberries, wheat, duckweed, chrysanthemum), which allow to study the activity of foreign proteins in transgenic plants and obtain varieties with economically valuable traits. Currently, the station of artificial climate "Biotron" do researches on the plant physiology and molecular biology (studying of genes that affect the flowering morphology of Compositae), Biopharming, protection of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses, field trials of transgenic fruit trees, etc

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem. Plum pox virus (PPV) is the serious viral disease affecting Prunus species such as plum, apricot, cherry and peach. To date the few PPV resistance genetic resources found in Prunus germplasm, nevertheless the conventional breeding approaches are very challenging for use in fruit trees due to several limiting intrinsic factors.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Several biotechnological approaches could be used to develop PPV resistance in plants; nonetheless, the RNA interference is shown to be the most effective disease-control strategy (Ilardi and Tavazza 2015). In our initial report we have successfully used this      biotechnological technology to produce transgenic plants of commercial cultivar “Startovaja” (Prunus domestica L.) with PPV-derived ihpRNA construct (Mikhailov and Dolgov 2011). The transformation experiments were conducted using genetic construct containing the self-complementary sequences of fragment of PPVCP gene separated by an intron for the induction Plum Pox Virus (PPV) resistance through the mechanism of post-transcriptional gene silencing. Transgenic plum rootstocks plants have been produced from organogenic callus developed on leaf explants within 6-month culture after the inoculation.

Conclusion & Significance: PCR-analysis confirmed the transgenic status of produced plants by the amplification of the fragments of “hairpin”-PPV-CP construct and hpt gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful attempt to produce transgenic plum rootstock.

Biography:

Aidilla Mubarak is a lecturer at the School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, a university on the East Coast of Malaysia. Her educational background includes BSc in Molecular Bioscience from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and MSc and Doctorate in Nutrition from The University of Western Australia. Passionate about phytochemicals, she preceded her career with research that revolves around polyphenols. Her research has largely been driven towards exploring composition of these compounds in various crops. The knowledge in nutrition also guided her research towards understanding pharmacological benefits from polyphenols from edible crops particularly on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Aidilla have published several high impact articles on the area of polyphenols, and was recognized with awards that mark her achievement in studies that explored the bioactive compounds from plant sources. Aidilla is also avid about sharing her familiarity for polyphenols with fellow scientists to sustain the interest for this super-compound

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Hevea brasiliensis produces valuable latex and is an important commodity throughout the world. Understanding its composition of phytochemical such as polyphenol is vital to ensure sustainable production and a high quality yield. The knowledge on polyphenol profile of Hevea brasiliensis is surprisingly scarce, albeit the importance of this phytochemical particularly for plant protection. The knowledge on polyphenol profile in this crop is believed to be crucial for sustained rubber production to meet the constant world rubber demand. Moreover, there is also no report on the polyphenols profile in rubber processing effluents. The knowledge on composition of this valuable compound in the waste is similarly important, as it can create wealth opportunities from the source of waste. Thus, this study aimed to develop an optimal extraction method using solid phase extraction (SPE) for polyphenol in latex of Hevea brasiliensis and effluent from rubber processing. This study also intended to determine the ideal techniques for determination of polyphenol compounds via High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Based on the optimized methods, this study worked on determining and profiling select polyphenols in the latex and effluent. To support the profiling, this study also tests the sample for detection of polyphenols through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and total phenolic content assay. This study succeeded in determining the best SPE method for extracting polyphenols in the samples of interest. The best separation method of polyphenol via HPLC was also determined. We observed the presence of polyphenols from both latex and effluent through FTIR and total phenolic content assay. HPLC analysis showed detection of several polyphenol peaks in both latex and effluent when compared to authentic polyphenol standards. Current achievement in this study marks the potential of understanding polyphenol composition in latex of Hevea brasiliensis and effluent from rubber processing which has not been explored before.

Biography:

Wing Kin Yip is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.  His research interests are in the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology related to plant hormone ethylene.  He has published papers on the biosynthesis of ethylene; catalytic function of ACC synthase; tomato ACC synthase gene family; rice ethylene receptors; and also works on cyanide detoxification related to ethylene biosynthesis

Abstract:

Plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects in plant growth, development and responses to environmental stresses.  These regulatory functions of ethylene generally start with the increase or decrease of its biosynthesis, receptor binding, signal transduction, changes in gene expression leading to various physiological responses.  The signaling pathways in model plant Arabidopsis, which is a dicotyledonous species, is well characterized starting with the binding of ethylene to its five receptors localized to ER membrane.   Rice is the model for monocotyledonous species and also an important crop, containing same number of ethylene receptors as in Arabidopsis, but believed to have more complicated network in ethylene regulation.  OsERS1 and OsETR2 are the two major ethylene receptors in rice and have different regulatory functions as revealed by many studies. We tagged GFP to the N-terminal transmembrane domain of both OsERS1 and OsETR2 and examined their subcellular localization in onions cells by confocal imaging. We conclude that OsERS1 is localized to plasma-membrane, whereas OsETR2 is localized to endoplasmic reticulum.  This is the first report of ethylene receptors shown to be localized to different subcellular compartments in the same species, implicating separate functions of these receptors in rice. Previous studies on OsETR2 showed that its mRNA levels in tissues could undergo rapid changes in various treatments, including exogenous application of IAA, silver ion, ethylene, GA; and when submerged in water. We further show in this study that, light growth seedlings express higher levels of OsETR2 mRNA compared to dark-growth seedlings when submerged; 1-MCP pre-treatment was effective to block the increase of OsETR2 mRNA induced by ethylene and submergence; and that 1-MCP pre-treatment can promote ethylene biosynthesis in both green seedlings and  submerged green seedlings.  Based on our results and others, we speculate that OsERS1 and OsETR2 could have differential roles during rice plant submergence

Biography:

Dr. Caroline Janitz is the manager of the Next-Generation Sequencing Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Along with supervising her team, Caroline is responsible for both the development and implementation of technological improvements in the NGS pipeline. She joined Western Sydney University in 2011 after working with the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at the UNSW Australia in Sydney, where she established and led the Illumina next-generation sequencing division. At both institutions, Caroline had a leading role in acquisition of the Illumina CSPro (Certified Service Provider) accreditation status. Caroline acquired her PhD in molecular genetics from the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans Lehrach, the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. Her PhD thesis focused on an investigation of the molecular mechanism of renal damage in the course of rat hypertension using laser microdissection and Affymetrix gene expression profiling.

Abstract:

Thinking about accelerating your research by implementing the next-generation sequencing technology? Having some questions related to your current NGS project?

Please join us for 1-hour free consultation session led by the NGS specialist- Caroline Janitz, the manager of the NGS Facility at Western Sydney University, Australia. Caroline has ten years’ experience in NGS field with over 300 successfully completed projects. It will be a great opportunity to discuss details of your project including the sample submission guidelines, library preparation and troubleshooting. The NGS session will take place…