ROA: Molecular Systematics of Green Algae: 16S Ribosomal DNA

Drs。华盛顿大学的Rose Ann Cattolico和Jeanine Olsen正在使用最先进的分子生物学工具对选定的绿藻的核糖体基因进行测序，以便为绿藻的主要谱系构建一个进化分化的框架。DNA序列分析为了解生物之间的系统发育关系提供了强有力的分析工具；可以直接比较遗传物质样本和获得的导致现有物种的碱基对（突变）变化量的测量结果。尽管藻类分布在世界各地，具有重要的生态功能，对了解陆地植物的起源具有重要意义，但对藻类群体进行的此类研究却很少。卡托利科博士一直是各种藻类分子生物学研究领域的领军人物。奥尔森博士最近获得了博士学位，接受过传统和现代分子方法研究藻类的培训。他们是用新的生化方法研究藻类系统发育的理想团队。

Drs. Rose Ann Cattolico and Jeanine Olsen of the University of Washington are employing state-of-the-art tools of molecular biology to sequence ribosomal genes of select green algae in order to construct a framework of evolutionary divergence for the main lineages of Chlorophyta. DNA sequence analysis provides a powerful analytical tool in understanding the phylogenetic relationships among organisms; direct comparisons can be made between samples of genetic material and measurements obtained of the amount of base-pair (mutational) change leading to present species. Little work of this kind has been done with algal groups, although algae are worldwide in distribution, important in ecological function, and significant in understanding the origins of land plants. Dr. Cattolico has been a leader in molecular-biological studies of various groups of algae. Dr. Olsen, a recent Ph.D., has training in both traditional and modern molecular approaches to the study of algae. Together they make an ideal team for the study of algal phylogeny using new biochemical methods.