Genes Patterning the Arabidopsis Fruit

水果在农业中发挥着核心作用，因为它们是许多植物物种的收获产品。对拟南芥模式植物系统中果实发育基因的功能理解可能会直接转移到作物植物中，因此这项研究应该有助于在农业重要植物中发现基因。不同物种的果实大小、形状和种子传播方式差异很大，但这种多样性的分子和遗传基础是完全未知的。解决的中心问题包括鉴定正常果实发育所需的主要基因。一些控制果实不同部分形成的基因将被鉴定出来，这些基因对果实的大小、形状和种子的传播都很重要。提出了一系列的遗传和分子方法来鉴定和表征控制果实发育的上游模式过程的其他基因。这些研究将为主要基因在控制果实发育中的作用提供一个简单的模型，该模型应普遍适用于许多物种。本研究还将为学生和博士后提供良好的培训机会。所创造的资源将被纳入实验课程和推广工作。

Fruits play a central role in agriculture since they are the harvested product for many plant species. It is likely that the functional understanding of fruit development genes in the model plant system of Arabidopsis will be directly transferable to crop plants, and thus this research should facilitate gene discovery in plants of agricultural importance. Fruit size, shape, and method of seed dispersal varies markedly in different species, but the molecular and genetic basis of this diversity is completely unknown. The central issue addressed involves the identification of the major genes that are required for normal fruit development. A number of genes that control the formation of the different parts of the fruit will be identified and these genes are important for fruit size, shape and seed dispersal. A series of genetic and molecular approaches are proposed to identify and characterize additional genes that regulate the upstream patterning processes that control fruit development. These studies should lead to a simple model for the action of major genes in controlling fruit development and this model should be generally applicable to many species. This research will also provide excellent training opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows. The resources created will be incorporated into laboratory courses and outreach efforts.