T1 seeds have been isolated and are being analysed. In addition to the work above, I study the plant proteins called expansins. In collaboration with Dr. Simon McQueen-Mason at the University of York, we are studying the role of expansins in ethylene promoted leaf abscission. To date we have isolated three expansins from a S. nigra ethylene-treated abscission zone cDNA library. Northern analysis of one of the three expansins indicates the mRNA accumulates within ethylene-treated AZ tissue after 24 hr.
Analysis is ongoing.
These genes were initially identified in Brassica napus , but my project is aimed to elucidate the function of the homologous gene in Arabidopsis thaliana . I am looking at the role of root to shoot communication in the coordination of responses to nitrogen stress in tomato. The stage I am at right now, is to establish the concentration of nitrogen that will cause the induction of a root-bourne signal without causing the physiological characteristics associated with nitrogen deficiency. The aim of my project is to increase our understanding of the molecular events associated with senescence process with a view to understanding how senescence may be regulated. Thirdly, to analyse the developmental characteristics of ethylene insensitive mutants and in particular their capacity to undergo senescence.