Thesis supervisor: Gábor Rigó
co-supervisor: László Szabados
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Institute of Plant biology, Biological Research Centre, Szeged Abbreviation of location of studies: SZBK
Description of the research topic:
In natural environment plants are exposed to adverse conditions which can develop in different combinations. Drought is often accompanied with extreme heat, whose effect can be enhanced by high soil salinity. In our research programme, we will investigate previously identified stress regulatory genes that have been shown to influence multiple stress responses. The research program includes the characterization of the function of the selected genes in coordination of responses to salt, osmotic, heat and combined stresses using various molecular and physiological methods. Gene functions will be evaluated by characterization of insertion mutants of the corresponding genes or with transgenic lines carrying gene constructs with enhanced activities. Viability, oxidative damage, photosynthetic activity, using a new high-throughput complex plant phenotyping platform (www. psi.cz). In addition, accumulation of protective compounds will be monitored in different stress conditions. Activity of target genes will be tested by transcript analysis. Results are expected to contribute to understand better the regulatory mechanisms which control responses to combined extreme conditions, and get better picture about the function of the tested transcription factors in the complex signalling mechanism in such stress adaptation.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: Interest in scientific knowledge, creativity. Basic knowledge in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics