Project Number: 6615-21000-009-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2003
End Date: Sep 14, 2008

Objective:
Overall, the objectives are the same as before; except, the Draft Project Plan Prospectus submitted by the end of April 2005 based on PD-RAM of the Project has redirected our efforts in the direction that uses several high-tech and high-throughput approaches which are essential to the program. Specifically, the emphasis will be on gene expression analyses of basal endosperm transfer cells in developing endosperm of maize. This region is critical for normal seed development in maize. Gene discovery efforts will significantly enhance our objective of identification and characterization of genes of agronomic importance, in particular sucrose metabolism, in seed development.

Approach:
Inter-disciplinary approaches, e.g., microarray, cDNA-AFLP, hybridoma facilities, and various Imaging technologies at Optical Microscope Facility, including laser micro-dissection will be used. These technologies are a part of institute-wide facilities that are available with the Cooperator, the University of Florida. These tools of functional genomics will significantly elucidate the molecular and cellular nature of basal endosperm cells which are critical for normal sink strength and optimal sucrose utilization in developing seeds of maize.