This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) provides $668,494 to Michigan State University to systematically identify and characterize noncanonical open reading frames (ORFs) in four model plant species: Arabidopsis, tomato, rice, and maize. The project will use advanced experimental and computational techniques to discover these hidden ORFs, which can reveal new ways plants use proteins and control gene activities, offering opportunities to improve crop performance. Key activities include developing a user-friendly online tool, providing training for one graduate student and two postdocs, and engaging in three educational outreach efforts targeting plant bioinformatics, undergraduate research experiences, and public programs. The award also includes a $116,943 sub-grant to Iowa State University to conduct proteomics experiments and data analysis. This project aims to enhance the understanding of noncanonical ORF functions, conservation, and regulation across plant species, ultimately facilitating their application in future plant engineering and synthetic biology strategies.
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