PhD Project(s) for inclusion on the UCD-Brazil Science
Without Borders Website.
Principal Investigator details: Lecturer in Botany; main research areas Plant
Physiology including molecular biology, with emphasis on water and solute
relations, single-cell analyses, aquaporins, potassium, cuticle, leaf growth
and root water uptake
Name: Wieland Fricke
Email address: [email protected]
Web link to research profile:
https://rms.ucd.ie/ufrs/w_rms_general_info.show
Project title: Diversity of functions of aquaporins in root physiology among
major plant groups
Priority Research area: Physical Sciences: mathematics, physics, chemistry,
biology and geosciences
ABSTRACT : Aquaporins belong to the family of major intrinsic proteins, a class of membrane
proteins which facilitates water flow, but also movement of some nutrients, across membranes of all
organisms. In plants, aquaporins are becoming increasingly interesting in the study of root water
uptake, yet often anatomical or morphological adaptations of roots are not considered in the
interpretation of results. Also, our knowledge about root aquaporins is restricted to a rather narrow
range of plant groups. Building on previous work in our research group (J Exp Bot, 2011, 62: pp 717733; pp 4115-4126; pp 4127-4142; New Phytol, 2010, 187: pp 159-170), the present project will use
an array of biophysical techniques (root pressure probe, cell pressure probe, exudation), molecular
techniques (quantitative PCR; Western Blot analyses) and microscopic approaches (confocal and
fluorescence microscopy) to study the expression of aquaporin genes and involvement in root water
uptake in relation to root morphology, anatomy and developmental stage. A diverse range of plant
groups will be analysed which show large differences in (i) root morphology, (ii) whole-plant
transpirational water loss and drought tolerance. The species and plant group to be analysed will be
decided on so that it suits best the interests of the Brazilian funder and counterpart and the previous
experience of the host lab at UCD.
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