The Genetic Basis of Rosette Flowering in Leavenworthia

关于基因水平上的变化如何导致物种具有不同特征的知识仍处于初级阶段。本研究将阐明白菜（芸苔科）野生近缘种结构差异的基因。遗传模式种拟南芥在称为花序的茎的细长部分上产生花。相反，Leavenworthia的种类直接从靠近地面的一簇叶子（莲座花序）的长茎上开花。此前由美国国家科学基金会资助的研究表明，一种名为LFY的基因在Leavenworthia的进化过程中发生了变化，它可能在莲座开花从花序开花的进化过程中发挥了作用。我们将从其他莲座开花和花序开花物种中分离LFY基因，并将其引入拟南芥中，进一步验证这一假设。此外，其他可能对莲座开花进化有贡献的候选基因也将被研究。我们可以利用含有单个或多个Leavenworthia基因的拟南拟植物的特征来确定哪组基因在建筑进化中发挥了最重要的作用。最后，研究人员将开始开发将基因引入Leavenworthia的技术，从而允许在未来使用更强大的实验测试。阐明十字花科植物结构进化的遗传基础，有助于加深对植物发育基本原理的认识。这些信息可能有助于植物育种者更有效地操纵作物，并将提供对发育进化的一般机制的见解。此外，该研究项目将为本科生和一名少数民族研究生提供宝贵的研究机会。

Knowledge of how changes at the genetic level cause species to have different features is still rudimentary. The proposed research will elucidate the genes responsible for differences in the architecture of wild relatives of cabbage (Brassicaceae). The genetic model species Arabidopsis thaliana produces flowers on an elongated portion of stem called an inflorescence. In contrast, species of Leavenworthia produce flowers on long stalks directly from the cluster of leaves close to the ground, the rosette. Prior NSF funded research has suggested that a gene called LFY changed during the evolution of Leavenworthia and that it may have played a role in the evolution of rosette flowering from inflorescence flowering. The proposed research we will further test this hypothesis by isolating the LFY gene from other rosette flowering and inflorescence flowering species and introducing them into A. thaliana. Additionally, other candidate genes that plausibly contributed to the evolution of rosette flowering will be studied. The characteristics of A. thaliana plants that contain single or multiple Leavenworthia genes we be used to determine which sets of genes played the most important role in architectural evolution. Lastly, the researchers will begin developing techniques for introducing genes into Leavenworthia, thereby allowing more powerful experimental tests to be used in the future. By clarifying the genetic basis of architectural evolution in Brassicaceae, the research will enhance understanding of basic principles of plant development. This information may help plant breeders more effectively manipulate crop plants and will provide insights into general mechanisms of developmental evolution. Additionally, the research program will provide valuable research opportunities for undergraduates and one minority graduate student.