From flowers to seeds: Unravelling connections between the start and the end of the Arabidopsis reproductive cycle

Samenvatting

It is increasingly apparent that certain flowering time genes exhibit a dual role, extending beyond their conventional role in orchestrating the timing of flowering. Notably, some of these genes have a crucial function in seed development and maturation, thereby exerting an impact on overall seed quality. The central objective of my PhD thesis is to understand the molecular interplay within the genetic network that governs the initiation of the reproductive cycle, denoted by the floral transition, and the latter phases of the plant's reproductive journey, characterized by seed development and maturation. Specifically, this study focuses on unraveling the multifaceted functions of genes associated with flowering time and floral organ development in modulating the process of seed development and maturation in Arabidopsis Landsberg erecta. There is special emphasis on dissecting the contributions of the phosphatidyletanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family within this regulatory framework, and more explicitly to their role in the process of seed dormancy.
The significance of this research lies in two main contexts. Firstly, it challenges the simplicity of current gene nomenclature by highlighting the multifaceted functions of certain genes. Secondly, the implications extend to the agricultural sector, where understanding the dual functionality of these genes is crucial for informed decision-making in crop improvement strategies.