Manipulation of transcription factors that control plant architecture

The manipulation of plant form for agricultural purposes requires extensive knowledge of regulatory programs that control plant architecture. This proposal focuses on the roles of a specific class of transcription factors (Class III HD-Zip genes) in promoting secondary (wood) growth and development in plants. Class III HD-Zip genes are regulated by a class of small RNA molecules (microRNAs). A second aspect of the proposed research aims to determine whether manipulation of these small RNA molecules can be utilized to manipulate plant form and to control parasitic plants