Poster abstracts
Poster number 81 submitted by Maryam Muzaffar
Functional Characterization of Cell Wall-Associated miRNAs in Arabidopsis Using Reverse Genomics
Maryam Muzaffar (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Ohio University, Ohio, USA), Md. Soyib Hasan (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Ohio University, Ohio, USA), Michael A. Held (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute, Ohio University, Ohio, USA)
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play vital roles in regulating plant growth, responses to environmental stress and plant development. This project aims to elucidate the functions of specific miRNAs that fluctuate in abundance during the primary to secondary cell wall transition in Arabidopsis thaliana using reverse genomics techniques. First, loss-of-function lines will be acquired via T-DNA insertion lines and/or generated via Cluster Regulated Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology. Knockout mutants will be validated through sanger sequencing, qRT-PCR, and mutant line genotyping. Functional genomic analyses will then compare wild-type and mutant plants, focusing on molecular differences in gene expression and cell wall composition. Phenotypic assessments will evaluate growth, stress tolerance, and structural traits associated with cell wall transitions. The broader implications of miRNA regulation in plant development and stress response will be explored, highlighting potential applications in improving crop resilience and productivity. This study provides novel insights into miRNA mediated regulation of cell wall dynamics, offering strategies for advancing agricultural sustainability.
Keywords: microRNA, cell wall in development, functional genomics