Daniel Gibbs
Research Fellow, Faculty of Science
Current Research
As part of the group of Prof. Michael Holdsworth I am interested in the role of the evolutionarily conserved N-end rule pathway of proteolysis in plant development, with a particular focus on its role in abiotic stress response and in the regulation of seed dormancy and germination. Recently we identified the first substrates of this pathway in plants, showing that they act as homeostatic sensors of low oxygen. Under oxygen replete conditions, these transcription factors are constitutively degraded. However, when oxygen levels decline, as happens when roots become waterlogged or foliage submerged during flooding events, they are stabilised and can modulate gene expression and metabolism in order to enhance flooding survival. Thus, we have shown that these proteins act as both the low-oxygen sensors and response regulators.
Past Research
Prior to joining the Holdsworth group in 2009, I completed my PhD in the lab of Dr. Juliet Coates at the University of Birmingham (2005-2009). It was during my PhD that i developed an interest in the role of regulated protein turnover during plant development, focusing on the function and proteolytic regulation of ARABIDILLO proteins and their protein-interaction partners during the formation of lateral roots in Arabidopsis.
Future Research
Work is ongoing to further understand the role of the N-end rule pathway in abiotic stress perception and response, with particular emphasis being placed on:
1. The identification of novel N-end rule protein substrates.
2. Understanding how the N-end rule pathway and the canonical ABA signaling pathway interact during stress response and seed germination.
3. The conservation of the N-end rule pathway across a broad range of plant species, including crop species.