Yang Shao
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Contact information
Department of Biology, McGill University
1205 ave Docteur Penfield, Rm N4/6
Montreal, Quebec CANADA H3A 1B1
Or via Email yang.shao@mail.mcgill.ca​
Project Characterization
Transposable elements (TEs) were once thought to be junk DNA, with no benefits towards the host. In recent decades, some TE-derived genes were found to be functional in plants. These types of genes are called domesticated transposable elements (DTEs).
MUG4, a member of the MUSTANG gene family, is a DTE gene that essential for abiotic stress adaptation, this novel function opens a new door for valuable roles of DTEs in plant adaptation to stress.
Project Content
Plant responses to salt stress via a complex mechanism, including sensing and transducing the stress signal, activating the transcription factors and the corresponding metabolism genes. This project aims to exam the salt sensitive trait of mug4 mutants, reveal the molecular function of MUG4 for plants that response to salt, and determine its conservative property in Camelina sativa. I will apply the physiology, phenomics and molecular genetics approach to reveal the mystery.