Role of nuclear lamina in Rabl interphase chromosome configuration in barley

The principles of plant interphase chromosome organization remain enigmatic. An interesting type of configuration with centromeres and telomeres clustering at opposite nuclear poles is called Rabl. It is common in many grasses with large genomes and likely enables rapid cell divisions in the quickly growing tissues. How this configuration is maintained remains unknown. Therefore, the announced Ph.D. project will focus on the role of nuclear lamina in the establishment and maintenance of Rabl configuration in the model crop barley (Hordeum vulgare). To this end, we developed genetic resources for analysis of chromosome dynamics in barley, including reporter and mutant lines. These materials will be studied using unique confocal microscopes and cutting-edge methods, including AI-based approaches. The project is integrated in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network consortium AGILE (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101226536), involving leading European labs in advanced microscopy of plant chromosomes.