Project properties
Title Unraveling the Role of Exonucleases in Maternal Inheritance
Group Plant Physiology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 30-39
Supervisor(s) Kin Pan Chung
Examiner(s) Christa Testerink
Contact info Kinpan.chung@wur.nl, thesis.pph@wur.nl
Begin date 2025/05/01
End date 2025/10/31
Description Besides the nucleus, both plastids and mitochondria contain their own DNA, which encodes proteins essential for key cellular processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Interestingly, plastid and mitochondrial genomes are inherited exclusively from the mother, a phenomenon known as maternal inheritance. However, the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unclear. Recently, an exonuclease has been identified as a key factor responsible for maternal inheritance in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum.

This project aims to further characterize this exonuclease by analyzing its expression profile, subcellular localization, and enzymatic activity. Specifically, we seek to explore the potential of manipulating this enzyme to control plastid and mitochondrial inheritance.
Used skills Plant tissue culture; microscopy
Requirements Basic knowledge of plant physiology and molecular biology.
Experience with fluorescence microscopy.
PPH courses: PPH10806, PPH30306 and PPH30806, and/or other relevant courses in Plant Sciences/Biology.