Workpackages

WP1 : Dynamic imaging of living organs and cells in plants - 384 keuros

This includes the spatial and temporal expression patterns of gene networks and the micro-scale phenotyping of organ growth and its integration with gene expression patterns
To obtain qualitative and quantitative data on spatial expression patterns in organs, we have acquired a ZEISS LSM880 inversed confocal microscope and a ZEISS Z1 light sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM) system.

 

WP2 : Developing tools for high throughput screening for targeted gene modifications - 380 keuros

This includes the production and management of saturated collection of chemically mutagenized seed populations, the development of high-throughput tools for rapid and systematic identification of mutations in target sequences and the creation of an evolving and interactive database. To identify a mutation at a specific nucleotide position, a nano-fluidic SNP genotyping system based on allele-specific PCR will be developed. The 3P project has allowed the acquisition of a BIORAD QX200 AutoDG Droplet Digital PCR system with automated droplet generator, droplet reader and computer) that allows medium SNP multiplexing (10 to hundreds of SNPs) with a very large sample set (thousands of individuals) generating accurate genotyping data efficiently and cost-effectively. The TILLING platform was also equipped with a Robot for genomic DNA extraction and a TissueLyser II, both essential to carry out high through-put analyses. This new equipment will allow the screening of candidate genes involved in root and flower traits as a proof-of-concept. 3P funding was also used to improve computing facilities for data storage and analysis (Servers and Workstation). We have also been able to buy a ZEISS trinoculaire stereo zoom microscope (Stemi Trino) equipped with an Axiocam ERC 5s microscope camera as well as a second camera and a ZEISS stereo zoom microscope (Stemi Bino) that were needed for phenotyping by the TILLING platform.

 

WP 3 : Phenotypic analyses at the whole organ/plant level – 616 keuros

The aim to engineer different plant prototypes having different sexual morphologies in flowers or diverse root architectures requires the extensive phenotypic analysis of plants grown under controlled environmental conditions. Global physiological and metabolic parameters will be determined profiting from the extensive expertise in plant metabolism and physiology at the IPS2 as well as the metabolomic and transcriptomic platforms.

The plant phenotyping pipeline will lead to the discovery of new gene functions involved in desired agronomic traits. These new crop prototypes created by targeted gene modification in crop and model plants will be tested in controlled conditions and in proximity to the other IPS2 platforms. Hence, additional plant growth facilities to cope with increased plant diversity and special environmental conditions and seed storing facilities were built with 3P funding. Indeed, 3P funded the construction of 3 growth chambers for tomatoes and melons as well as for legumes and cereals and co-financed the extension of the glasshouse facilities.