Media

HKU identifies a new strategy to protect flowers from freezing stress

03 Jun 2014

 

A research project funded by the Wilson and Amelia Wong Endowment Fund at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Faculty of Science, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has yielded a new strategy to protect flowers from freezing stress. An extension of this technology to crop plants is expected to benefit agriculture by protection of flowers against cold spells that kill flowers and adversely affect fruit and seed formation. This will no doubt improve food production in areas susceptible to freeze.

In this technology, the research group has identified a protein designated as ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN6 (ACBP6) from the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, that when overexpressed in Arabidopsis confers protection of transgenic flowers against freezing treatment of -7°C for one hour. While 54% of wild-type flowers remained intact after this low temperature treatment, 86% of the transgenic flowers survived the stress. If this technology were to protect cultivated blooms from freezing stress, losses from low temperature stress in the floral industry can be reduced. This research led by Chye Mee Len, Wilson and Amelia Wong Professor in Plant Biotechnology from the School of Biological Sciences, with PhD students, Liao Pan and Chen Qinfang, has yielded a publication in Plant & Cell Physiology and a US patent.

Members of the media are cordially invited to a press briefing on the research findings. Below please find the details:
Date:   June 9, 2014 (next Monday)
Time/Activity/Venue:
      14:20    Gathering on G/F, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam, HKU (Map)
      14:30    Photo taking at Plant Chamber, Room 7N/05, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building
      14:45    Press briefing at Conference room, Room 6S/13, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building

Spokespersons:
Professor Chye Mee Len, Wilson and Amelia Wong Professor in Plant Biotechnology, SBS
Mr. Liao Pan, PhD student funded by a University Postgraduate Fellowship, SBS

For media enquiries, please contact HKU Communications & Public Affairs Office

Ms Trinni Choy, Assistant Director (Media) Tel: 2859 2606 / Email: pychoy@hku.hk or

Ms Rhea Leung, Manager (Media) Tel: 2857 8555 / Email: rhea.leung@hku.hk or Mobile: 6347 2221