MCF: Molecular Analysis to Assess Genetic Change in Panicum miliaceum Resulting From Range Expansion and Introgression After Colonization

千里香在美国和加拿大是一种次要作物。1970年左右，一种黑色颗粒的生物型在中西部和加拿大出现，作为行作物的杂草。在加拿大，至少有六种其他类似作物的生物类型正在作为行作物的杂草生长。最近由黑色生物型对北美的殖民，它经常与作物和类作物杂草共生，这为研究殖民后早期阶段的进化提供了独特的机会。DNA分子技术对遗传变异比等位基因电泳法或形态特征法更敏感。首席调查员将使用华盛顿大学Barbara Schaal实验室的DNA分子技术来评估生物型之间的遗传关系，测量随着黑色生物型范围的扩大而发生的遗传变化，并寻找不同杂草种群和作物之间的渗透。这项研究将阐明成功定居物种种群之间的遗传变异所起的作用。项目完成后，DNA分子技术将促进P.I.S目前在种群生物学方面的研究。分子生物学技术将使植物种群生物学的研究对他的本科生的独立研究项目更具吸引力。

Panicum miliaceum is a minor crop in the United States and Canada. Around 1970, a black-grained biotype appeared as a weed of row crops in the Midwest and in Canada. At least six other crop-like biotypes are growing as weeds in row crops in Canada. The recent colonization of North America by the black biotype where it is frequently sympatric with crop and crop-like weeds affords a unique opportunity to study evolution in the early stages after colonization. DNA molecular techniques are more sensitive to genetic variation than are either allozyme electrophoresis or morphological characters. The Principal Investigator will use DNA molecular techniques in Barbara Schaal's lab in Washington University to assess genetic relationships among biotypes, measure genetic change in the black biotype as it has expanded its range, and search for introgression between various weed populations and crops. This study will shed light on the role of genetic variation among populations of successful colonizing species. After this project, DNA molecular techniques will enhance the P.I.'s current research in population biology. Molecular biology techniques will make the study of plant population biology more attractive to his undergraduate students for their independent research projects.