Functional analysis of transcription factors involved in cell cycle regulation of plants, by a new generic tool based on tandem affinity purification and deep sequencing.

An efficient method to determine the target genes of transcription factors is lacking in plant molecular research. It is nevertheless important to gain insight into the function of transcription factors, since they are important regulators of biological functions. In this project, a new generic method will be developed to identify target genes of transcription factors in plant cells, based on tandem affinity purification and deep sequencing. In a first step, the TAP method will be adapted for isolation of chromatin complexes. Next, this method will be linked to the identification of the isolated promoter elements using Illumina sequencing. Finally, the method will be applied to some recently isolated transcription factors possibly involved in cell cycle regulation. The aim is to confirm their role in the cell cycle and gain insight into their function in the cell cycle.