Research Projects

The study focuses on the role of RISBZs, seed-expressed transcription factors, in seed storage protein and starch accumulation in rice. Previous research has shown that RISBZ1 and DOF-TF (DNA Binding with One Finger) synergistically regulate rice grain filling. The study found that RISBZ1 interacts with DOF-TF (RPBF), a diverse biological process in rice. The molecular role of RISBZs has been limited to regulating starch and seed storage accumulation. The proposal aims to explore RISBZs and other molecular targets to understand the novel molecular regulatory aspects of seed development, vigor, and grain quality in rice. This research will lead to a better understanding of the integrated network of metabolic pathways involved in seed development, which will open new avenues for identifying novel targets and regulators that can be used to improve crop quality. The specific goals of the project include identifying protein-protein interactions of RISBZ, understanding the regulatory aspects of these interactions, elucidating the molecular mechanism of the unexplored biological role of RISBZs in seed physiology and nutritional quality of grain, and improving our understanding of the integrated network of metabolic pathways involved in seed development.