Determining the role and mechanisms of RNA silencing pre and postfertilization

During gametogenesis, germ cells undergo profound transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming that allow the totipotent zygote to give rise to all cell types of the adult organism.

A major question in biology is how these reprogrammings are orchestrated while successfully accomplishing the reproductive developmental program. The RNA silencing mechanism is essential for these reprogrammings, although its details are not well understood.

In this project, we aim to explore the precise molecular mechanisms and overall impact of RNA silencing on the transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming during reproduction in the powerful model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.The proposed project is based on solid preliminary data and aims to understand RNA silencing dynamism during gametogenesis and fertilization including: 1) analysis of small RNAs dynamics and their target RNAs during male gametogenesis, 2) determine the subcellular localization of RNA silencing factors during reproduction, 3) decipher the influence of male-active RNA silencing in the fertilization products and 4) understand the connection of RNA silencing with reproductive barriers.

The results of this project will shed light upon the complexity of life and how genetic information is organized and protected during reproduction, and will ultimately aim to guarantee plant fertility and understand reproductive barriers, knowledge which will allow us to maintain food security and produce potential biotechnological tools.