Collaborative Research: The Role of Suppressor of Sessile Spikelet1 (sos1) in Meristem Maintenance and Determinacy

所有的草都长出小穗，短枝上长出小花，产生谷粒，因此产生了世界所需的大量卡路里。玉米和与之关系密切的禾本科植物成对产生小穗，与其他亲缘关系较远的谷物如水稻、小麦和大麦相比，其产生的籽粒数量增加了一倍，这些谷物单独产生小穗。了解成对小穗形成的分子和发育基础具有重要的实际意义，因为这些信息可以用于使产生单小穗的谷物产量加倍。合作比较基因组研究也提供了一个前所未有的机会，了解这种衍生性状进化的分子基础。玉米无梗小穗抑制基因（sos）的发现为研究成对小穗的形成提供了突破性的进展。分子，细胞和发育的方法将被用来剖析Sos 1的功能。 Sos2和Sos3的额外的分子和发育研究将使额外的基因调控成对小穗形成的鉴定成为可能。成对的小穗是由称为小穗对分生组织的分生组织产生的。 分生组织通过平衡维持和确定的功能不断产生器官。Sos位点将使这两个基本的发展过程之间的相互作用的解剖，以及提供洞察草花序architecture.This研究涉及玉米发育遗传学家和专家之间的合作，在草的进化，因此是跨学科的性质。一名研究生和至少六名本科生将在McSteen实验室接受培训。将开发一系列夏季研讨会，为本科生提供培训，帮助他们了解进化研究在科学、教育和社会中的更广泛影响。PI还将就玉米的驯化向公众发表讲话。

All grasses produce spikelets, short branches bearing the florets, which produce the kernels or grain, and therefore much of the calories that feed the world. Maize, and closely related grasses, produce spikelets in pairs, doubling the number of kernels produced in contrast to other, more distantly related cereals, such as rice, wheat and barley, which produce spikelets singly. Understanding the molecular and developmental basis for paired spikelet formation is of great practical significance as this information could be used to double yield in cereals that produce single spikelets. Collaborative comparative genomic studies also provide an unprecedented opportunity to understand the molecular basis for the evolution of this derived trait. The identification of the suppressor of sessile spikelet (sos) loci in maize provides a breakthrough into the understanding of the formation of the paired spikelet. Molecular, cellular and developmental approaches will be used to dissect the function of Sos1. Additional molecular and developmental studies of Sos2 and Sos3 will enable the identification of additional genes regulating paired spikelet formation. The paired spikelet is produced by a meristem called the spikelet pair meristem. Meristems continually produce organs through balancing the functions of maintenance and determinacy. The Sos loci will enable the dissection of the interaction between these two fundamental developmental processes, as well as providing insight into the evolution of grass inflorescence architecture.This research involves collaboration between a maize developmental geneticist and an expert in the evolution of grasses, and hence is interdisciplinary in nature. One graduate student and at least six undergraduate students will be trained in the McSteen laboratory. A summer seminar series will be developed to provide training for undergraduates in understanding the broader implications of evolutionary studies in science, education, and society. The PI will also speak to the public on the domestication of corn.