Aneesh Lale
PhD Student, Puri Fellowship & Future Food Beacon PaleoRAS Project
Investigating the impact of heat stress on plant root system architecture and anatomy
The anticipated impact of global warming, characterized by high temperatures, on food security in major regions of the world necessitates a deeper examination of its effects on plant physiology. While the influence of heat stress on shoot physiology has been extensively studied, our understanding of root system responses to elevated temperatures remains limited. To contribute to this field of research, I am conducting a doctoral project focused on investigating the effects of heat stress on the root architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana (a model plant) and Oryza sativa (a crop model). Through a combination of plate and soil-based experiments, I am systematically screening various Arabidopsis and rice accessions, along with functional mutants, to identify the genetic components responsible for heat tolerance. By gaining insights into the genetic control of heat tolerance in roots, my research aims to facilitate the development of more resilient and heat-tolerant crops through advanced breeding techniques.
Erfan Ghafouri
PhD Student, BBSRC DTP Studentship
Unravelling the mechanism of wheat root angle adaptation to high soil temperature
The ability of roots to adjust their angle is crucial for effectively accessing deeper soil layers, which provide cooler temperatures and better water availability. In my doctoral research, I am specifically focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms that drive the adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) roots' angle under high-temperature stress conditions. To accomplish this, I am employing soil-based assays to examine a diverse range of genetic resources, including landraces, TILLING mutants, and biparental mapping populations. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity present in these lines, my objective is to identify the key genetic factors that govern root angle in wheat under both normal and heat stress conditions. Through the elucidation of these mechanisms, my project aims to enhance our understanding of how plants adapt and thrive in challenging environments.
Brighton Gapare
PhD Student, Joint Rothamsted Research and Nottingham studentship
Exploring diversity in the grain structure, composition, and functionality of pearl millet germplasm
My research focuses on enhancing the economic value of pearl millet, a nutrient-rich staple crop widely grown in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. By exploring the genetic diversity present in pearl millet germplasms, I aim to gain insights into the grain structure, composition, and functionality and its impact on food and beverage processing as well as nutritional quality. This research will identify promising lines and genes associated with desirable seed quality traits, facilitating their utilization in crop improvement programs and novel applications by breeders, farmers, and processors. The project is funded by the Nottingham Future Food Beacon and involves collaborations with esteemed researchers from the University of Nottingham and Rothamsted Research in the UK, the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) in France, and the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) and Institut de Technologie Alimentaire (ITA) in Senegal.
Samuel Wadey
PhD Student, BBSRC DTP Studentship
Understanding the variation of total protein and essential amino acids content in duckweeds in changing climatic conditions
To address global nutritional deficiencies, the exploration of novel food sources is imperative. Among these, duckweed shows promising potential as a protein-rich alternative. However, limited understanding exists regarding the variation and genetic mechanisms underlying its nutritional content. This project aims to investigate how duckweed adapts to increasing temperature conditions and examine the consequential impact on protein content and essential amino acids. By unraveling the genetic control and variation of nutritional traits in duckweed, this study will contribute to our understanding of its potential as a sustainable food source amidst evolving environmental conditions.
Other Current Projects
Deciphering gravitropic and anti-gravitropic mechanisms controlling root growth angle in model and crop species
Roots play a vital role in efficiently accessing essential soil resources such as nutrients and water. To optimize their foraging efficiency, different root classes (primary, seminal, lateral, and crown) exhibit specific growth angles. Plants employ anti-gravitropic offset (AGO) mechanisms to counteract the vertical gravitropic response and establish a unique "gravitropic setpoint angle" for each root class. In our research, we are leveraging the diverse genetic resources found in both model and crop species to develop a comprehensive understanding of the spatial-temporal mechanisms involved in regulating root angles. We aim to investigate how these mechanisms are influenced by environmental conditions, ultimately leading to adaptations in root system architecture and improved resilience to various stresses.
Unlocking the Genetic Potential of Vigna aconitifolia (Moth Bean) for Resilient Food Systems in a Changing Climate
Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia) is a drought- and heat-resistant legume cultivated in arid regions of India, Botswana, and Namibia. With its high protein, mineral and vitamin content and ability to withstand elevated temperatures and long spell of drought conditions Moth Bean holds great promise for future food security. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms behind its stress resilience and nutrient accumulation are not fully understood. In our research, we have sequenced the genomes of wild and commercial varieties of Moth Bean, exploring their genetic information. Through agar plate and soil-based experiments, we examine their response to temperature, drought, and combined stresses during seedling development. By unraveling Moth Bean's genetic potential and performance in diverse conditions, our study aims to unlock opportunities for resilient and sustainable food systems in the face of a changing climate.