Research Focus
Research in my lab focuses on the molecular genetics and evolution of plant breeding systems although we have carried out studies of plant population genetics and plant/butterfly interactions. We have continued to study the genetics and evolution of breeding systems in a Neotropical clade within the Passifloraceae (formerly called the Turneraceae). In the genus Turnera, a majority of species are distylous and strongly self-incompatible, while other species are self-compatible often having anthers and stigmas in close proximity, leading to high rates of self-fertilization. We have been working towards a molecular genetic dissection of the distyly (S) locus in Turnera species. We have constructed high resolution genetic maps of the S-locus region using recombination and deletion mapping; assembled and sequenced a set of BAC clones across both the recessive and dominant haplotypes; sequenced the transcriptome of styles and stamens to discover differentially expressed genes; have developed a genetic transformation system in Turnera that will allow us to test the function of candidate genes for distyly; and we are currently sequencing the genome of one Turnera species. We have discovered a number of candidate genes using these methods and are currently testing their function.
Sub-Disciplines
Evolutionary Biology, Population Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology