Elucidating the Interactions between Drought Tolerance and Photoprotection in Plants

Plants have networks of responses to minimise damage due to drought and excess light stress. However, the extent to which the networks are unique or integrated is not well defined as research has focused on one or the other. We identified a novel class of genes and mutations that alter one or more aspects of each network. An integrated study of the photoprotective and drought response mechanisms in key mutants will determine the identity and function of the key genes that control the responses and what changes in the chloroplast are critical for plant growth in marginal ecosystems and seasons.