Plant Photobiology and Epigenome Dynamics

It is a project about short-term priming and transgenerational acclimation to light stress. The host laboratory identified that gene induction during Arabidopsis photomorphogenesis is enhanced by a prior, short and transient, exposure to light. The physiological relevance and molecular mechanisms underlying light-induced plant priming have not been addressed, nor its links to other priming mechanisms. The process could significantly favour seedling vigour in agriculture under extreme light conditions (heat waves, high altitude, low latitude).

The objectives of the Project are:

• to contrast and compare epigenome and transcriptome/epitranscriptome changes induced by short-term priming in Arabidopsis and oilseed rape plants.
• to characterise gene regulatory pathways impacting light-induced priming and transgenerational effects of high light acclimation.

In these analyses, you will use Arabidopsis chromatin and photoperception mutant lines and benefit from a unique collection of Arabidopsis wild type and mutant lines with different life histories of light environment for five successive generations.

Active collaboration with partners at the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Regensburg (Germany), and DSV (Deutsche Saatveredelung AG, Germany) to get not only specific training in molecular and industrial approaches but also intellectual input that will be valuable to the progress of the project.