Harnessing the power of barley mutants to understand chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development

In the project we identify genes responsible for formation of chlorophyll. We utilize a fantastic collection of barley mutants that was collected between 1928 and 1983.

Mutations affecting chlorophyll biosynthesis are complicated to work with since they are lethal and must be kept in heterozygous stocks.

Barley is a superb model system for these studies since the grain has large energy resources that can support growth of homozygous mutants for up to two weeks before they die. Thus, homozygous mutant material can be obtained.

By identifying the gene in which the mutation is located we get a direct understanding of the gene function since we connect the gene with a visible phenotype.

We will also perform biochemical analyses of the proteins encoded by the most interesting genes to further put them in a functional context where chlorophyll biosynthesis is closely connected to chloroplast development and photosynthesis.

We identify genes by a cost-efficient pipeline (genome sequencing of pooled F2-mapping populations, candidate gene sequencing) and characterize the mutants and selected gene products at molecular level (enzymatic measurements, crystallography, CRYO-EM, etc.).

The suggested experiments are planned for a 4-year period to be done by 2-3 scientists and per year approx. 5 students (master and bachelor level).

The project is important for providing a deeper understanding of the connection between chlorophyll biosynthesis, chloroplast development and photosynthesis.