Genomics and Genetic Engineering for Salt Tolerance
We are profiling the genome of Spartina alterniflora at the transcriptome level to understand the molecular basis of its unusually high level of tolerance against salinity. We have successfully used cDNA-AFLP as an RNA imaging technique for identifying the differentially expressed transcript-derived fragments from both root and leaf tissues at different time phases of salt stress. EST profiling of both root and leaf tissues has been accomplished and we have identified a number of genes that play key role in different salt tolerance mechanism operating in Spartina. We are also working on to isolate stress-inducible promoter(s) that could possibly have important role in the orthologous expression of the salt-inducible genes. A few of these genes that are involved in ion homeostasis and/or ion exclusion mechanism are being studied in model plant species with an ultimate objective of translating the technology toward developing salt tolerant crops.
Functional distribution of the transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) from Spartina alterniflora
Besides, a comparative microsynteny analysis has shown that Spartina shares high degree of similarity with grass species such as, rice, maize and barley for majority of the genes isolated.
Genomics and Genetic Engineering for Salt Tolerance
