Research project
Genome damage and protection mechanisms in seeds
- Start date: February 2025
- End date: January 2028
- Funder: The Leverhulme Trust
- Value: £676,788
- Primary investigator: Dr Chris West
Project title
Genome damage and protection mechanisms in seeds
Description
Primary Investigators
Dr Chris West – Faculty of Biological Sciences
Dr Matteo Castronovo – Faculty of Enviroment
Dr Wanda Waterworth – Faculty of Biological Sciences
Description
Seeds and other desiccation tolerant organisms endure striking levels of genome damage, but are adapted to survive the stresses associated with life in the dry state.
This proposal will reveal both the origins of DNA damage that results from removal and re-entry of water, and identify the protective mechanisms in seeds that reduce chromosome fragmentation to levels that can be repaired upon rehydration.
We hypothesise that dehydration of DNA constrained in nucleosomes causes tensile and torsional stresses at the nanoscale resulting in DNA breakage.
Furthermore, we predict that specialised protective proteins are required to minimise high levels of genome stress in seeds as observed in tardigrades.
This proposal will help develop a new mechanistic understanding will underpin improvement of crop yields under climate change and have application to the development of drought resistant crops.
Research Overview
Desiccation, rehydration and extended periods in the dry quiescent state are associated with striking levels of genome damage, which in seeds, impacts on seed quality, a key determinant of crop yields.
We will combine nanotechnological, cell biology and genetic approaches to deliver a new mechanistic understanding of the origins of genome damage in seeds and the protective factors that mitigate these threats.
Nanotechnology provides a new approach to model the stresses incurred during desiccation and rehydration of DNA packaged in chromatin.
The key factors which protect and stabilise DNA, thereby mitigating desiccation-induced stresses, will be identified using a combination of proteomics and reverse genetic approaches.
Understanding the novel factors which determine seed longevity will have important applications to improve enhance the germination performance of major crop species and development of drought resistant crops.