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The nitrogen cycle is the very root of plant growth. Therefore,
the study of the mechanisms throughout the plant explaining
how the absorption of nitrogen is regulated, how the nitrogen
is stored and used for growth is critical. The INRA Department
of the Environment
and Agronomy is conducting research to:
a) Uncover the mechanisms determining the efficient use of nitrogen
to
b) Reduce the use of nitrogen inputs while
c) Minimising the nitrogen backflow into the environment
The relevant research involves
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The characterisation of how roots absorb nitrate
and ammonium; molecular and physiological studies of the regulations
and signals involved
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The quantification and analysis of nitrogen flow
inside the plant (self-sowing fodder plants, the formation of
reproductive tissue in rapeseed); detection of the different means
of storage |
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The identification and characterisation of reserve
proteins, the regulation of their synthesis/degradation (the impact
of environmental and internal factors) |
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The modelling of nitrogen absorption in a rapeseed
crop, and nitrogen enhancement for growth or storage |
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| The
Teams |
| The UMR INRA-UCBN of Physiology &
Plant Biochemistry, particularly the Nitrogen teams and the Ecophysiology
group muster 14 research teachers (4 Professors, 10 Senior lecturers),
3 INRA research scientists, 8 technical or administrative personnel,
and 12 young researchers |
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| Equipments |
| The UMR has the special equipment required
for the culture of model species (mainly ray-grass, rapeseed,
alfalfa, and clover) in controlled soilless conditions (greenhouse,
controlled environment enclosures, microlysimeters), or in field-grown
crops (lysimetry crops and experimental plots) and for the analysis
of the nitrogen element and its mineral and organic derivatives
(amino acids, amines, peptides, and proteins). The following equipment,
among others, is available at the UMR for this purpose: |
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Isotope mass spectrometer and systems for the preparation
of solid, liquid or gaseous samples for analyses, 13C, 34S and
18O |
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Organic mass spectrometer coupled to gas phase chromatography,
MD800, Fisons (amino acids marked 15N) |
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Beckman liquid chromatography with fluorometry detector
(polyamines, amino acids) |
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Dionex DX 100 liquid chromatography with electrolytic
conductivity detector (anions and cations), refractive index detector
(carbohydrates), or amperometric detector (fructan). |
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Bran Luebbe auto-analyser (NO3-, NH4+ and phosphate) |
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Investigator electrophoresis system, Millipore (proteins)
and image analyser |
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Hoeffer electrophoresis system on agarose gel (DNA,
RNA) |
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PCR Amplitron DNA amplifier system |
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| Methods |
| The UMR develops experimental
protocols appropriate for the study of the individual plant as
well as for plant-plant (intra and interspecific) interactions
typical of the situation of the crop. For instance, as part of
the contracted research with INRA, the main methodological tools
and available skills make the following possible: |
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The evaluation at different scales (cell, entire
plant, stand in its environment) of the future of 15N or 13C marked
nitrogen compounds or carbon compounds; details of their biochemical
origin and the regulatory processes of their metabolism |
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The measurement of the effect of abiotic factors
(temperature, length of photosynthesis, available N) or biotic
factors (mycorrhization, root attacks) on the ability of the plant
to absorb nitrogen or its enhancement in harvested tissue |
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Feasibility research concerning:
a) the use of plant compounds for biotechnology (enzymatic vectors,
carbohydrate coating of medicinal substances, and so on)
b) the in vitro selection of vegetable species (cabbage, parsley,
and so on) that are adapted to the local farming conditions
c) the set-up and development of industrial processes for agri-foodstuffs
(preservatives for plant-based food, the enzymatic processing
of plant products, and so on) |
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| Contacts |
| For general technological
or scientific information |
|
M. OURRY
Institut de Biologie Fondamentale et Appliquée (IBFA)
Université de Caen Basse-Normandie
Esplanade de la Paix - 14032 Caen cedex
Tél : 33 (0)2 31 56 53
ourry@ibba.unicaen.fr
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| For economic or industrial
information |
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Normandie Développement
57 avenue de Bretagne - BP 1083
76173 Rouen Cedex 1 - France
Tel : 33 (0)2 35 03 06 04 - Fax : 33 (0)2 35 03 07 86
ndrouen@normandydev.com |
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