Transcriptomics: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-8936
ISSN: 2329-8936
Vishwanath Sollapura
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Transcriptomics
Pollination is an important step in Angiosperm sexual reproduction that involves pollen adhesion, recognition, rejection/ acceptance, hydration, germination, and other cell-cell interactions with the stigma (the female receptive tissue). A detailed knowledge of the transcriptomes of the mature pollen grain and stigma will help in further understand these interactions and identifythe various molecular participants. This fundamental knowledge will in turn provide tools to enable molecular interventions aimed at managing pollination and thereby leading to improved sustainable crop production. We are currently working towards assembling high quality pollen and stigma reference transcriptomes for both dicots (Brassicaceae) and monocots (Triticeae) crops using next-generation sequencing of transcriptomes (RNA-seq). We report the results of transcriptome analyses performed on the mature pollen and stigma of Brassica carinata and Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack), two crops with potential applications as bio-industrial platforms. Both Illumina and 454 sequencing were performed generating about 100 million (100 bp lengths) and1 million (400 bp lengths) paired reads per sample respectively. The RNA-seq analysis was carried out using CLC genomics workbench 7.0 (Qiagen Inc.). Comparisons of transcript profiles between pollen and stigma of B carinata and Triticale and the contribution of polyploidy to reproductive gene expression will be presented. The reference transcriptome generated for B carinata and triticale will facilitate the study of other members of the Brassicaceae (e.g. B. napus, B. oleracea, B. rapa) and Triticeae (wheat, barley, rye) which together represent the most cultivated crops in Canada.
Vishwanath Sollapura completed his PhD in plant molecular biology in 2013 from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, where he identified and characterized three alcohol-forming fatty acyl-CoA reductases associated with suberin biopolymer. Prior to that, he worked in India for the plant biotech company Avesthagen Ltd on a project to generate Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) in Sunflower and Mustard oilseed plants using recombinant approaches. Currently, he is working as a NSERC visiting post-doctoral fellow at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada in Dr. Laurian Robertâ??s laboratory focusing on the molecular genetics of crop flower development.