Characterization of genes involved in glandular trichome development in Nicotiana tabacum

Details

Supervisors

Hachez, Charles ; Berhin, Alice

Faculty

Faculté des bioingénieurs

Degree label

Master [120] : bioingénieur en chimie et bioindustries, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Trichomes are hair-like epidermal outgrowths that play key roles in the plant interaction with its environment. Glandular trichomes secrete high amounts of specialised metabolites, making them the primary site of secondary metabolism, hence the high biotechnological interest. Furthermore, glandular trichomes are highly organised polarised cell structures that can be used as a model of cell differentiation. Our knowledge of glandular trichome development is still fairly limited. Therefore, this Master’s thesis aimed to uncover part of the genetic regulation governing long glandular trichome development in Nicotiana tabacum (a model plant of the Solanaceae family) by characterising four transcription factors. The results generated in this master’s thesis offer new tools, gene candidates, and perspectives for future experiments, notably in the interplay between glandular trichome and flower development.