DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of floral morphology in Zingiberales: the role of positive selection on B class MADS-box genes

开花植物多样性被认为是快速辐射的一个显著例子。解释开花植物进化成功的假说考虑了由花介导的植物-动物相互作用的作用。利用候选基因的方法，本提案将测试已知负责花发育的MADS盒子基因在花形态进化中的功能。我们关注的是香蕉和生姜等热带植物的一个谱系，其中包含与有效授粉相关的多种花形式。此外，本研究还将从荆芥中分离候选MADS box基因，并对其表达进行时空分析，以表征花发育和进化的基因网络。Musa的基因组序列和来自Zingiberales的转录组（RNA-Seq）数据将用于研究负责花进化的其他基因。本研究有助于培养进化生物学、发育遗传学和植物形态学的研究生和本科生。研究结果将在国家和国际科学会议上发表，并作为同行评议的出版物发表。更好地了解花进化的基因网络将有利于其他非模式开花植物的研究，并可能对香蕉（Musa acuminata）、生姜（Zingiber officinale）、姜黄（Cucurma longa）、小豆蔻（Elettaria sp.）的农业研究和园艺品种的改良有所帮助。

Flowering plant diversity is regarded as a striking example of rapid radiation. Hypotheses to explain the evolutionary success of flowering plants consider the role of plant-animal interactions mediated by the flower. Using a candidate gene approach, this proposal will test for the function of MADS box genes, known to be responsible for flower development, in the evolution of floral form. We focus on the Zingiberales, a lineage of tropical plants including bananas and gingers, containing a diversity of floral forms associated with efficient pollination. Also, this research will isolate candidate MADS box genes from Zingiberales species and examine their expression temporally and spatially to characterize the gene networks underlying flower development and evolution. Genome sequences for Musa and transcriptome (RNA-Seq) data from across Zingiberales will be used to investigate additional genes responsible for the evolution of flowers.This research contributes to multi-disciplinary training of graduate and undergraduate students in evolutionary biology, developmental genetics, and plant morphology. Results will be presented at national and international scientific meetings and as peer-reviewed publications. A better understanding of the gene networks underlying evolution of flowers will benefit other research studying non-model flowering plants and may prove helpful for agricultural research in Musa acuminata (banana), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Cucurma longa (turmeric), Elettaria sp. (Cardamom) and the improvement of horticultural cultivars.