Award Abstract #0079539
Acquisition of Five Controlled Environment Chambers for Plant Research

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 31, 2000
Latest Amendment Date:	July 31, 2000
Award Number:	0079539
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Angela V. Klaus DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 15, 2000
Expires:	July 31, 2003 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$118860
Investigator(s):	Jyoti Shah shah@unt.edu (Principal Investigator) James Guikema (Co-Principal Investigator) Xuemin Wang (Co-Principal Investigator) Judith Roe (Co-Principal Investigator) Jian-Min Zhou (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Kansas State University 2 FAIRCHILD HALL MANHATTAN, KS 66506 785/532-6804
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0201000 Agriculture, 0521400 Plant Productivity
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9184
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT



Five controlled environment plant growth chambers will facilitate research of a cross-disciplinary group at Kansas State University (KSU) on the response of plants to biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. These chambers will provide controlled growth conditions crucial for understanding the mechanism by which plants perceive and respond to environmental cues.

The acquisitions will facilitate the individual and collaborative research of the group members on understanding the biochemical, physiological and molecular changes in plants exposed to stress, identification of genes involved in stress signaling, development of plant varieties resistant to pathogens and insects, and understanding the molecular basis of cell division and cell death in plants. The growth chambers will enhance the quality and productivity of research at KSU by providing infrastructure for innovative research, through cooperative use of facilities and increased collaboration. Students will benefit from specialty courses providing training on plant stress response. The equipment will further facilitate and enhance the recruitment and training of women and minorities in plant biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and genetics at KSU.

Plant growth, development and productivity are influenced by environmental cues. The stress of disease, insect infestation, increasing global temperatures, limited water supply and chemical toxicity, limit plant productivity. The proposed work on understanding the perception and response of plants to biotic and abiotic environmental stresses will expedite the development of plant varieties with enhanced resistance to stress, thereby improving plant productivity, food quality, public health and the environment

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