Evolution of Floral Display Strategies in Dogwoods - A Synergistic Approach to Explore the Developmental and Molecular Mechanisms

Pi：(Jenny)秋云祥：Robert G.Franksco-Pi：Deyu XieIOS-1024629山茱萸花卉展示策略的演变--探索发育和分子机制的协同方法花序排列(即花序结构)的变化通过影响种子和果实的数量以及作物的收获能力来影响许多作物的产量。尽管花序结构对人类很重要，但在理解发育和遗传变化如何在地球上开花植物的多样性中塑造花序结构方面进展甚微。山茱萸(Cornus L.)由于其壮观的花序，是美国景观中受欢迎的观赏树木。除了美丽之外，山茱萸属还为我们提供了一个独特的机会，让我们了解不同花序结构的进化和发展。不同的山茱萸品种在花序结构上表现出很大的差异。在这个项目中，这个跨学科的科学家团队将应用分子和发育方法来了解山茱萸属物种花序结构多样化的分子基础。对花序发育和进化的分子机制的进一步了解可能会使培育具有花序结构的农业品种的努力成为可能，从而提高农业生产力。该项目的主要调查人员还参与了一项K-12学校外展计划，该研究小组的成员在当地小学领导示范，从而在这么小的时候促进科学素养。

PI: (Jenny) Qiuyun Xiang co-PI: Robert G. Franksco-PI: DeYu XieIOS - 1024629Evolution of Floral Display Strategies in Dogwoods - A Synergistic Approach to Explore the Developmental and Molecular MechanismsVariation in the arrangement of flowers (i.e. the inflorescence architecture) affects the yield of many crop species by influencing the number of seeds and fruits and the ability to harvest the crop. Despite the importance of inflorescence architecture to humankind, little progress has been made in understanding how developmental and genetic changes have shaped inflorescence architectures in the diversity of flowering plants on earth. Species of Dogwood (Cornus L.) are popular ornamental trees in American landscapes due to their spectacular inflorescences. In addition to being beautiful, the genus Cornus offers us a unique opportunity to understand the evolution and development of different inflorescence architectures. Different Dogwood species exhibit a wide variation in inflorescence structures. In this project this interdisciplinary team of scientists will apply molecular and developmental approaches to understand the molecular basis for the diversification of inflorescence architecture in the Dogwood species. This greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms of inflorescence development and evolution may enable efforts to breed agricultural varieties with inflorescence structures to allow greater agricultural productivity. The primary investigators of this project are also involved in a K-12 school outreach program in which members of this research team lead demonstrations at local grade schools, thus promoting scientific literacy at this early age.