Redox Regulation of Growth and Stress Tolerance Prof Christine Foyer Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, UK
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The UWA Institute of Agriculture Food and Agriculture Lecture Series 2011 Redox regulation of growth and stress tolerance Prof Christine Foyer Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, UK Date: Monday, 28 November 2011 Time: 5.00 - 6.00 pm Place: Ernst & Young Lecture Theatre, UWA Business School Parking: Car Park 9 and 41, off Hackett Drive The cellular redox hub integrates information from metabolism and the environment to fine-tune plant growth and defence in relation to biotic and abiotic challenges and developmental requirements. Perturbations in cellular redox homeostasis have a decisive input into transcriptional control within the cell nucleus. While it has long been known that oxidants and antioxidants exert a strong influence on plant growth and defence, little information has been available concerning the precise functions of each of the components, or the interactions between redox signalling pathways and plant hormone signalling pathways. New insights have recently been gained into why leaves and other plant organs accumulate very high levels of ascorbate, particularly in relation to how this vitamin interacts with the signalling pathways of the stress hormone abscisic acid. Similarities in the redox control of cell proliferation are observed in animals and plants. Findings about the role of glutathione in both kingdoms highlight the importance of redox processes in almost every aspect of plant biology, and provide a better understanding of how redox regulation plays a fundamental role in plant performance and resilience. Professor Foyer is an internationally renowned research scientist, with more than 300 publications, ranking in the top 10 list of world-wide most cited authors in Plant and Animal Sciences. She completed a PhD in Biochemistry at Kings College, University of London, and was appointed as Professor of Plant Science at Leeds University in 2009. Previous appointments include Professor of Molecular Agriculture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K., and Research Director at the Laboratory of Plant Metabolism and Nutrition, INRA, Versailles, France. Professor Foyer has been the external examiner for 55 PhD theses in the U.K. and abroad and has published a book called ‘Photosynthesis’ for students. She is the co-editor of a further six books and an associate editor for a number of scientific journals, a member of several Scientific Advisory Boards and currently holds two Marie Curie Individual Fellowships. She also holds a fractional appointment as a Research Professor at the University of Western Australia’s School of Plant Biology. Enquiries: (08) 6488 4717 Email: [email protected] Website: ioa.uwa.edu.au.