Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Biology

Date of Award

5-2022

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Aruna Kilaru

Committee Members

Dr. Lev Yampolsky, Dr. Andrew Clark

Abstract

The study is aimed to determine the role of avocado DGAT1 and PDAT1 in seed oil synthesis. Triacylglycerol (TAG) has a nutritional and industrial value and is essential for plant growth. DGAT1 and PDAT1 catalyze the final step of TAG Assembly. We hypothesized that both PaPDAT1 and PaDGAT1, although predominantly expressed in non-seed tissues, could contribute to oil accumulation in seeds. Agrobacterium transformants with PaPDAT1 and PaDGAT1 cloned in pCAMBIA were generated to test this. Subsequently, the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis mutant lines and camelina was carried out by floral dipping. The T1 camelina seeds expressing the genes of interest were selected using fluorescence screening. Homozygous T3 lines were generated. The transgenic camelina seeds were evaluated for TAG content and fatty acid composition relative to wild-type seeds. Line D1 3-3-2 expressing PaDGAT1 and line P1 7-8 expressing PaPDAT1 showed a significant increase in C18:1 compared to the wild type.

Document Type

Thesis - embargo

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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