Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00547
Post-transcriptional gene silencing against viral infections in wild grasses.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor T Dalmay, University of East Anglia, Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr H Wang, University of Oxford, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of East Anglia, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Genomics
- Survey & Monitoring
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Population Ecology
- Abstract:
- Anti-viral post-transcriptional gene silencing (AV-PTGS) is mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA). It is believed to be a general defence mechanism against molecular parasites in a wide range of species. Although it has been one of the most fruitful research areas in recent years, evidence of AV-PTGS is based on laboratory systems. Viruses are expected to have two strategies for evading a host determined AV-PTGS: (1) a fast mutation rate to escape, and (2) production of suppressers that neutralise or disable host AV-PTGS. High mutation rate is a characteristic of many plant viruses with ssRNA genomes but the phenomenon has not been assessed for its impact on escaping from host AV-PTGS. Suppressers against AV-PTGS have been well documented in a range of plant viruses, but again only under laboratory conditions. We here propose to investigate the hypotheses using two wild grass species (Dactylis glomerata, and Lolium perenne) and four naturally infecting viruses (Cocksfoot streak Potyvirus, Cocksfoot motile Sobemovirus, Ryegrass mosaic Rymovirus, & Barley yellow dwarf Luteovirus) in their natural habitat (Wytham Great Wood, Oxfordshire). We also propose to determine seasonal variations of plant AV-PTGS in relation to climate change, because laboratory experiments has demonstrated that temperature affects the strength of plant AV-PTGS. This research will provide crucial information to evaluate the true impact of AV-PTGS in natural conditions. Such evaluation will help to assess the potential benefits/risks of exploiting AV-PTGS related technologies in the agricultural/horticultural industry, as well as to predict the ecological consequences of global warming and the climate changes in the UK.
- Period of Award:
- 10 May 2004 - 9 Nov 2007
- Value:
- £179,406 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2003/00547
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £179,406
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £85,533 | £5,555 | £40,983 | £7,990 | £39,345 |
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