Resolving the steps in the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This project aims to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for the evolution of grasses using the C4 biochemical pathway that enables plants to survive in hot, dry, high-light environments. The endemic Australian subtribe Neurachninae is the only known grass group that contains C4 species, species using the ancestral C3 pathway, as well as species using pathways intermediate to C3 and C4. Through a comparative approach employing ....Resolving the steps in the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This project aims to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for the evolution of grasses using the C4 biochemical pathway that enables plants to survive in hot, dry, high-light environments. The endemic Australian subtribe Neurachninae is the only known grass group that contains C4 species, species using the ancestral C3 pathway, as well as species using pathways intermediate to C3 and C4. Through a comparative approach employing high-throughput sequencing technologies, it is expected that the molecular changes underlying the transition from C3 to C4 will be identified. These results should define what is required to engineer plant varieties with increased yield and the ability to withstand climate change effects.Read moreRead less
Probing JNK MAPK function with peptide inhibitors. It has generally been accepted that the JNK MAPK family of protein kinases is rapidly and potently activated following the exposure of mammalian cells to stresses and cytokines. However, their biological role has remained controversial. We believe that this problem reflects the lack of a generally applicable and specific JNK MAPK inhibitor. In this project we continue our characterisation of a small peptide inhibitor developed in our laboratori ....Probing JNK MAPK function with peptide inhibitors. It has generally been accepted that the JNK MAPK family of protein kinases is rapidly and potently activated following the exposure of mammalian cells to stresses and cytokines. However, their biological role has remained controversial. We believe that this problem reflects the lack of a generally applicable and specific JNK MAPK inhibitor. In this project we continue our characterisation of a small peptide inhibitor developed in our laboratories. We aim to determine its mechanism of inhibition, the specificity of interaction, and to evolve more effective inhibitors. With these new inhibitors, we can effectively address the biological roles of these kinases.Read moreRead less