With the aim to improve our understanding on (EPI)-genomics (genomic and epigenetic) factors, and the molecular mechanisms that mediate in the climatic adaptation (responses to high temperatures and UV stresses) and cell reprogramming during plant growth and development, a multidisciplinary approach is planned, including ecophysiologycal, biochemical and cellular biology techniques, as well as epigenetic, transcriptomics and proteomics. As species of study, the project deals with one of economic and environmental relevance in our country: Pinus radiata. Gene and protein libraries are already available from previous project AGL2007-62906. Specific model systems in which reprogramming is involved, derived from Pinus, Castanea and Quercus, as: micrografting in Pinus, and embryogenesis in Castanea and Quercus will be included. All the biotechnology plant production procedures have been developed by the proponent research team.
EPIOMICAS proposes to study molecular regulation of high temperature and UV induced stresses in radiate pine, using epigenetic and genomic (transcriptomic and proteomic) platforms for the study of gene regulation and function. The project will be addressed on traits of importance for survival: primary plant production, growth maintenance under stress and potential of reprogramming and differentiation.