LABORATORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
About
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- Regulation of plant secondary metabolism
The work in the laboratory is focused on studying the molecular and genetic mechanisms regulating biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites in plants. We also aim to develop biotechnological approaches for activation of secondary metabolite production in plants and plant cell cultures. We primarily study the production and regulation of stilbenic compounds possessing valuable biological activities and produced by plant species growing in the Russian Far East, including Vitaceae and some other plant species.
- Regulation of plant abiotic stress tolerance
We also study the molecular and genetic mechanisms regulating adaptation to adverse environmental conditions of a wild-growing grapevine Vitis amurensis Rupr. and other plant species possessing a remarkable stress tolerance. Current investigations are aimed to analyze the roles of calcium sensor proteins (calmodulin, calmodulin-like proteins, etc) in plant responses to abiotic stress. The work is also aimed at studying the roles of alternative splicing of calcium sensor protein genes in plant abiotic stress adaptation.
- External RNA application for gene regulation in plants
Our laboratory studies whether genes in the plant genome can undergo suppression as a result of exogenous RNA application on the plant surfaces. We also analyze the current understanding of RNA uptake mechanisms and RNA stability in plant environments. We found that simple exogenous application of long double-stranded RNA and small interfering RNAs can affect mRNA levels of plant transgenes which opens new opportunities for the development of new scientific techniques and crop improvement strategies.
Research methods:
RNA and DNA isolation, Gene cloning, PCR, reverse transcription, qRT-PCR, DNA sequencing, plant cell culture approaches, plant Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis, western blotting, secondary metabolite analysis by HPLC, etc.
Collections:
The collection of plant cell cultures and microclonal plants of a number of plant species growing at the Russian Far East (ginseng, grapevine, etc). The collection of plasmids and microorganisms used in plant molecular biology studies.
