Presentation Information
[1ASPR-19]Connecting Growth Regulation Gene Research with Water Use Efficiency: A Research Study Abroad at the University of Illinois
○Hana Kokubo1 (1. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Japan))
Keywords:
Plant growth regulation,Water use efficiency (WUE),Genome editing,Phenotypic analysis
[Purpose] The purpose of this study abroad was to participate in research aimed at developing crops with improved water use efficiency while acquiring genome editing and phenotypic analysis techniques in plant systems I had not previously studied. In addition, I sought to connect my fundamental research on plant growth regulation with the practical challenge of crop improvement, exploring how growth-promoting mechanisms could contribute to enhanced water use efficiency.
[Methods] I joined a crop improvement project focused on water use efficiency and spent one month in Professor Andrew Leakey’s laboratory at the University of Illinois. I learned virus-based genome editing techniques and applied digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) to quantify gene copy numbers and expression levels. Phenotypic analyses were conducted to evaluate growth traits and morphological changes in edited plants, and OT imaging was used to observe structural changes at tissue and cellular levels. These approaches enabled evaluation of the relationship between molecular modifications and plant physiological traits.
[Results and Discussion] Through this experience, I gained practical training in advanced molecular and analytical techniques using tobacco as a model plant. In particular, ddPCR enabled precise quantification of gene expression and rigorous evaluation of edited lines. Learning virus-based editing improved my understanding of efficient and rapid gene function analysis compared with conventional methods. By integrating phenotypic analysis with OT imaging, I developed a perspective linking molecular-level changes with whole-plant traits. I recognized that such integrative approaches are essential for translating fundamental gene function studies into practical crop improvement strategies.
Working in an environment with a clear applied objective—improving water use efficiency—also reshaped my research perspective. I realized that growth regulation and water use efficiency are closely connected through resource allocation and stress response pathways. This experience strengthened my ability to bridge basic molecular research and applied agricultural innovation.
[Conclusion] Moving forward, I aim to further elucidate the functions of growth-regulating genes and systematically examine their effects on water use efficiency and environmental responses. Through this work, I seek to clarify molecular mechanisms that optimize both growth promotion and resource use efficiency. Furthermore, by promoting international collaborative research, I will evaluate the universality and applicability of these findings toward sustainable crop improvement.
[Methods] I joined a crop improvement project focused on water use efficiency and spent one month in Professor Andrew Leakey’s laboratory at the University of Illinois. I learned virus-based genome editing techniques and applied digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) to quantify gene copy numbers and expression levels. Phenotypic analyses were conducted to evaluate growth traits and morphological changes in edited plants, and OT imaging was used to observe structural changes at tissue and cellular levels. These approaches enabled evaluation of the relationship between molecular modifications and plant physiological traits.
[Results and Discussion] Through this experience, I gained practical training in advanced molecular and analytical techniques using tobacco as a model plant. In particular, ddPCR enabled precise quantification of gene expression and rigorous evaluation of edited lines. Learning virus-based editing improved my understanding of efficient and rapid gene function analysis compared with conventional methods. By integrating phenotypic analysis with OT imaging, I developed a perspective linking molecular-level changes with whole-plant traits. I recognized that such integrative approaches are essential for translating fundamental gene function studies into practical crop improvement strategies.
Working in an environment with a clear applied objective—improving water use efficiency—also reshaped my research perspective. I realized that growth regulation and water use efficiency are closely connected through resource allocation and stress response pathways. This experience strengthened my ability to bridge basic molecular research and applied agricultural innovation.
[Conclusion] Moving forward, I aim to further elucidate the functions of growth-regulating genes and systematically examine their effects on water use efficiency and environmental responses. Through this work, I seek to clarify molecular mechanisms that optimize both growth promotion and resource use efficiency. Furthermore, by promoting international collaborative research, I will evaluate the universality and applicability of these findings toward sustainable crop improvement.
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