Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Target mimicry-based diminution of microRNA167 genes' expression targeting Auxin Response Factors (ARFs)' for enhanced silique development in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Genomics |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Bhupendra Chaudhary, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | bhupendrach@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | The world's population is expected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, necessitating a 70% increase in agricultural production to meet food, fiber, and oil demands. Climate change and stress conditions are causing reduced annual yields, making mustard agricultural production urgently needed. Longer siliques are desirable traits for mustard breeding, as they directly influence seed yield. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in target gene regulation during mustard silique initiation and elongation. Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) are important families targeting auxin-signaling associated miR167 genes, which control silique length and seed number per silique. To functionally characterize miR167 gene family in mustard, target mimicry technology is proposed to be employed in Indian mustard B. juncea. This involves analyzing in vivo functions through target-mimicry-based expression of miR167 genes during slilique initiation, elongation, and seed formation. The spatiotemporal overexpression of miR167 precursor target-mimic sequence and native miRNA sequence will regulate hormone (auxin) signaling during silique initiation, elongation, and seed formation, potentially influencing silique length and seed number per silique. This enhanced knowledge could be used for future mustard improvement programs. |
Co-PI: | Dr. shakti sahi, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
Total Budget (INR): | 55,94,688 |
Organizations involved