CV Dr Ndiko Ludidi

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Ndiko Ludidi In my research we work towards enhancing legume crop yields by improving legume tolerance against drought and salinity (abiotic stress). Premature nodule senescence is a form of programmed cell death of which its execution requires activation of cysteine proteinases. Abiotic stress is a major trigger of premature nodule senescence and accounts for a significant portion of legume crop yield loss. We aim to establish a strategy for preventing premature nodule senescence by using a combination of transcriptomic, biochemical and proteomic approaches. This will be done by regulating the biosynthesis of nitric oxide so that it is specifically enhanced in legume root nodules in response to abiotic stress. This is expected to protect the root nodules against the cytotoxic effects of abiotic stress because nitric oxide up-regulates the expression of cystatins (which inhibit abiotic stress-induced cysteine protease activity) and also enhances the plant antioxidant system (which detoxifies abiotic stress-induced reactive oxygen species that otherwise potentate premature root nodule senescence). It is likely that this genetic engineering approach can prevent early nodule senescence and make a significant contribution to the improvement of legume crop yield. List of Publications Ludidi NN, Pellny TK, Kiddle G, Dutilleul C, Groten K, VAN Heerden PD, Dutt S, Powers SJ, Romer P, Foyer CH. (2007) Genetic variation in pea (Pisum sativum L.) demonstrates the importance of root but not shoot C/N ratios in the control of plant morphology and reveals a unique relationship between shoot length and nodulation intensity. Plant, Cell & Environment 30:1256-1268. Ludidi N, Wherrett T, Morse M, Shabala S, Gehring C. (2004). A recombinant plant natriuretic peptide causes rapid and spatially differentiated K+, Na+ and H+ flux changes in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Plant and Cell Physiology 45: 1093-1098. Donaldson L, Ludidi N, Knight M R, Gehring C, Denby K. (2004). Salt and osmotic stress cause rapid increases in Arabidopsis thaliana cGMP levels. FEBS Letters 569: 317-320. Ludidi N, Gehring C. (2003) Identification of a novel protein with guanylyl cyclase activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Biological Chemistry 278: 6490-6494. Ludidi N N, Heazlewood J L, Seoighe C J, Irving H R, Gehring, C A. (2002) Expansin-like molecules: Novel functions derived from common domains. Journal of Molecular Evolution 54: 587-594.