DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of floral morphology in Zingiberales: the role of positive selection on B class MADS-box genes

开花植物的多样性被认为是快速辐射的一个显著例子。解释开花植物进化成功的假设考虑了由花介导的动植物相互作用的作用。利用候选基因方法，这项提议将测试MADS盒基因在花形进化中的功能，该基因已知负责花的发育。我们专注于姜科植物，这是包括香蕉和生姜在内的热带植物的一个谱系，包含与有效授粉有关的各种花卉形式。此外，本研究将从姜属植物中分离候选MADS盒基因，并在时间和空间上检测它们的表达，以表征花发育和进化的基因网络。来自姜目植物基因组序列和转录组(RNA-Seq)数据将被用来研究其他负责花朵进化的基因。这项研究有助于研究生和本科生在进化生物学、发育遗传学和植物形态方面的多学科培训。结果将在国家和国际科学会议上提出，并作为同行评议的出版物。更好地了解花朵进化的基因网络将有助于其他非模式开花植物的研究，并可能对香蕉、生姜、葫芦、姜黄、Elettaria sp.的农业研究有所帮助。(豆蔻)和园艺品种的改良。

Flowering plant diversity is regarded as a striking example of rapid radiation. Hypotheses to explain the evolutionary success of flowering plants consider the role of plant-animal interactions mediated by the flower. Using a candidate gene approach, this proposal will test for the function of MADS box genes, known to be responsible for flower development, in the evolution of floral form. We focus on the Zingiberales, a lineage of tropical plants including bananas and gingers, containing a diversity of floral forms associated with efficient pollination. Also, this research will isolate candidate MADS box genes from Zingiberales species and examine their expression temporally and spatially to characterize the gene networks underlying flower development and evolution. Genome sequences for Musa and transcriptome (RNA-Seq) data from across Zingiberales will be used to investigate additional genes responsible for the evolution of flowers.This research contributes to multi-disciplinary training of graduate and undergraduate students in evolutionary biology, developmental genetics, and plant morphology. Results will be presented at national and international scientific meetings and as peer-reviewed publications. A better understanding of the gene networks underlying evolution of flowers will benefit other research studying non-model flowering plants and may prove helpful for agricultural research in Musa acuminata (banana), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Cucurma longa (turmeric), Elettaria sp. (Cardamom) and the improvement of horticultural cultivars.