Invention Reference: 07/MED/254
Genes Against Biotic and Abiotic stresses
OsGAP1 –gene encoding a novel GTPase activation protein cloned from the monocot plant rice. Overexpression of this gene in rice and the dicot plant Arabidopsis thaliana enhances resistance toward bacterial pathogens.
GmRD22 – gene encoding an apoplastic protein cloned from soybean. Overexpression of this gene in cell culture, rice and Arabidopsis thaliana enhances tolerance toward salinity and drought stresses.
GmPAP3 – gene encoding a novel mitochondrial localized purple acid phosphatase cloned from soybean. Overexpression of this gene in cell culture and Arabidopsis thaliana enhances tolerance toward salinity and osmotic stresses.
Salinity, drought and disease are severe problems to agriculture worldwide, which could cause a retarded growth of crops and consequently a reduction in yield. Scientists at CUHK have characterized several genes in crops that enhance their tolerance/resistance against these stresses.