Phenotype qualities of a plant can be changed by the introduction of new genetic information as well as by knocking down plant own genes. The function and the regulation of a individual compound or metabolic pathway can thereby be cleared up. In our research on biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) we use this technique to study biological and ecological function(s) of isoprene and other volatile terpenes and to elucidate the regulation of terpene biosynthesis in plants in order to develop/improve process-based emission models.
For introduction of new genetic information in our experimental model systems Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocols for Arabidopsis, Poplar and Birch are used in our laboratory.
Recently established transgenic Arabidopsis and Poplar lines - modified in isoprene emission capacity - have been for the first time successfully used to verify thermo-protective properties of isoprene during short-term transient heat stress.
Contacts: & Sandrine Louis
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