Dissecting Gene Regulatory Networks Controlling Petal Organogenesis

解剖控制花瓣器官发生的基因调控网络器官的形成取决于多种细胞过程的协调，包括细胞分裂、组织组织和器官整体的模式。尽管植物作为食物来源的重要性，以及越来越多的燃料来源，但对植物器官发生的了解并不充分。本项目的重点是分析拟南芥花瓣器官发生的调控，作为理解其他更复杂的组织和器官如何产生的模型。将采用几种互补的方法来鉴定参与花瓣器官发生的新基因。这些将包括基于微阵列的方法来识别花瓣器官发生初始阶段所需的基因；确定控制花瓣形状和大小的数量性状位点的遗传策略和分子方法鉴定控制花瓣器官发生的依赖microrna的过程。新发现和先前鉴定的基因之间的遗传和分子相互作用将确定花瓣器官发生所必需的途径。这些结果将用于开发一个基因组水平的调控网络，控制花瓣器官发生的不同步骤。反过来，花瓣器官发生网络的特征将有助于在系统层面上理解植物器官发生，以及这种系统的涌现特性。这种跨学科的方法将提供一个独特的视角来研究细胞分裂、细胞类型分化以及生长和发育的协调如何在空间和时间方面导致特定器官类型的形成。此外，这种全面的表征对于产生新的工具来理解和操纵其他经济上重要的植物物种的器官发生也很重要。该项目的一个组成部分是为博士后、研究生和本科生提供各种培训机会，以培养下一代研究人员的批判性分析技能。

Vivian F. IrishProposal # IOS-0817744Dissecting gene regulatory networks controlling petal organogenesisThe formation of an organ depends on the coordination of a variety of cellular processes, including cell division, tissue organization, and patterning of the organ as a whole. Plant organogenesis is not well understood, despite the importance of plants as sources of food, and increasingly, fuel. This project focuses on analyzing the regulation of petal organogenesis in Arabidopsis as a model for understanding how other, more complex tissues and organs are generated. Several complementary approaches will be taken to identify new genes involved in petal organogenesis. These will include microarray-based approaches to identify genes required for the initial stages of petal organogenesis; genetic strategies to identify quantitative trait loci controlling petal shape and size; and molecular approaches to identify microRNA-dependent processes controlling petal organogenesis. Genetic and molecular interactions between newly discovered and previously identified genes will define pathways essential for petal organogenesis. These results will be used to develop a genome-level regulatory network that functions in controlling different steps in petal organogenesis. In turn, characterizing the petal organogenesis network will be valuable in developing a systems level understanding of plant organogenesis, and the emergent properties of such a system. This interdisciplinary approach will provide a unique perspective as to how the spatial and temporal aspects of cell division, cell type differentiation, and the coordination of growth and development result in the formation of a particular organ type. Furthermore, this comprehensive characterization will also be important for generating new tools to understand and manipulate organogenesis in other, economically important plant species. A component of this project is to provide a variety of training opportunities for a postdoctoral associate, a graduate student, and undergraduates that will foster critical analytical skills in the next generation of researchers.