RNA interference and Epigenetics in Regulation of Gene expression in Plants

In eukaryotes, small regulatory RNAs derived from double-strand RNA guide RNA interference (RNAi) and epigenetic modification through repression of complementary RNA and DNA. Arabidopsis thaliana has proved to be an excellent model species for uncovering the pathways and potential mechanisms of RNAi and epigenetics not only in plants, but in eukaryotes in general. In contrast to many other eukaryotic lineages including humans, gene duplication is a common feature of gene silencing pathways in flowering plants. For example, there is one DICER gene in humans compared to at least four DICER-LIKE (DCL) genes in flowering plants. This division of biological function between duplicated members of gene families involved in gene silencing has not only enabled the discovery of the function of individual genes, but also the composite biological function of the gene family as a whole. Case studies in plants will be used to highlight the mechanisms and evolutionary roles of RNAi and RNA-directed epigenetic modification in plants, but the relevance to humans and other eukaryotic species will also be covered. The potential of using topical application of dsRNA to manipulate gene silencing pathways in plants will also be covered.

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The course is given by internationally known scientist, Prof. Bernard Carroll of The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. In a recent breakthrough research, published in Nature Plants, Bernie was part of the University of Queensland team who showed that by combining clay nanoparticles with designer ‘RNAs’ (molecules with essential roles in gene biology), it is possible to provide virus protection in plants. The spray they have developed -- known as BioClay -- has been shown to give plants virus protection following a single application. When sprayed with BioClay, the plant is primed for an attack by the virus and responds by protecting itself by using RNAi. This new approach could have huge benefits for agriculture around the world in reducing pesticide use, crop protection and global food security. Professor Bernie’s laboratory research focuses on role of RNA interference and epigenetics in regulation of gene expression, and its relevance to plant biology particularly, plant development, plant defence against viruses and transposons. The host faculty, Prof. Lingaraj Sahoo focuses on genomics assisted improvement of Asiatic grain legumes for stress tolerance. His lab translates basic discoveries in plant genetic and genomics research to protect crops from diseases and adverse environment through manipulation of small RNA and regulatory proteins (TFs) guided plant defence to plant pathogens and abiotic stress. He is a Visiting Professor at Gifu University, Japan, active in facilitating international cooperation in academia- industry linkage for translational bioresource and food technology. Center has a high end Plant Biotech Research Facility, which is built to international biosafety requirements for research with Genetically Modified plants; a Plant Biotech Incubator Unit, which works closely with local industry and a molecular biology laboratory that offers basic molecular biology services.