Activities per year
Project Details
Description (abstract)
We study the molecular mechanisms of stress-induced leaf senescence in plants. Specifically, we aim to resolve the following scientific questions:
1) How does mitochondrial dysfunction elicit leaf senescence?
2) What are the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transition to senescence?
3) Can the basic understanding of senescence in model species be translated to increase the post-harvest quality of crops?
Genetic toolboxes available for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, together with non-targeted and targeted proteomics, biochemical analysis and metabolomics will be utilized to gain basic understanding of the metabolic and regulatory networks. Translational studies on kale (Brassica oleracea convar acephala) varieties will allow testing the hypothesis in a relevant crop species. Increased understanding of post-harvest senescence will provide prospects for improving the post-harvest quality of leafy greens.
1) How does mitochondrial dysfunction elicit leaf senescence?
2) What are the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transition to senescence?
3) Can the basic understanding of senescence in model species be translated to increase the post-harvest quality of crops?
Genetic toolboxes available for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, together with non-targeted and targeted proteomics, biochemical analysis and metabolomics will be utilized to gain basic understanding of the metabolic and regulatory networks. Translational studies on kale (Brassica oleracea convar acephala) varieties will allow testing the hypothesis in a relevant crop species. Increased understanding of post-harvest senescence will provide prospects for improving the post-harvest quality of leafy greens.
Layman's description
Stress-induced plant ageing can significantly deteriorate the quality of vegetables and cause significant losses in the food chain, but the underlying biochemical processes remain poorly understood. We aim to fill this knowledge gap and uncover the molecular mechanisms behind stress-induced ageing in model and crop species. We take advantage of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and various genetic and biochemical methods to study the basic molecular mechanisms of ageing. The new understanding is tested in different varieties of kale (Brassica oleracea convar acephala), which is a nutritious leafy vegetable and an important crop species. The results of this project will help improving the post-harvest quality of leafy greens.
Acronym | PlantAge |
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Status | Active |
Effective start/end date | 01/09/2021 → 31/08/2025 |
Fields of Science
- 11831 Plant biology
- 414 Agricultural biotechnology
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Avoiding unnecessary stress: post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction responses in plants
Kangasjärvi, S. M. (Speaker)
12 May 2022Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Supervisor of Doctoral Researcher Ilona Varjus
Kangasjärvi, S. M. (Supervisor)
1 Jan 2021 → 31 Dec 2024Activity: Examination types › Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral thesis