This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program provides $373,728 to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with an award date of January 15, 2024 and an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2026.
The objective of this collaborative research project is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling the movement of actin filaments (F-actin) in the female gamete for successful sperm nuclear migration during plant fertilization, using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The research combines real-time live-cell imaging and computational modeling approaches to address critical scientific questions about the role of the WAVE/SCAR pathway and class XI myosins in regulating F-actin dynamics and sperm nuclear migration. The project aims to advance fundamental understanding of plant fertilization processes and contribute insights into the evolution of sperm nuclear migration mechanisms in land plants.
The broader impacts of the project include training undergraduate students in collaborative research experiences spanning experimental and computational biology, as well as engaging university, community college, and K-12 students through an annual plant biology workshop and outreach activities focused on promoting appreciation for plant science.