Translational Epigenetics
EpiPotato
Development of RNA interference-based methods for targeted gene regulation to reduce heat-induced potato yield losses in climate change conditions
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), or rather their tubers, are an important staple food, but the tuberization of many potato varieties is severely affected by hot days. Rising temperatures due to climate change are expected to further elevate this problem in the upcoming years.
By using RNA interference (RNAi), potential regulators of tuber formation are to be influenced without making changes to the DNA sequence itself. For this purpose, small regulatory RNAs (more precisely short interfering RNAs or siRNAs) are to be applied and taken up by plants via a high-pressure spraying technique. This type of regulatory RNA plays an important role in the plant's own gene regulation, so the molecular machinery that is guided by siRNAs is already present in the cell. By applying an siRNA that is complementary to a gene relevant for tuber formation, the cell's own machinery can be used to change the expression of this gene.
We are currently investigating which subspecies of siRNAs are particularly suitable for this methodology and are pursuing various strategies to increase the efficiency of gene regulation and to influence the duration of such regulation. In addition, together with project partners, we are investigating genes that are relevant for the reduction of tuber formation in potato, as these are potential targets for our RNAi.