This project here will take the first steps towards a genomic approach to the analysis of adaptation to environmental extremes in the Piriqueta caroliniana complex, a novel model plant system. The primary goal develop the methods that will allow us to identify and analyze the genetic factors that contribute to adaptation to contrasting environmental extremes, severe drought and saturated soils, through novel application of microarray analyses to identify taxonspecific mRNA transcript expression traits. This research has the potential to benefit the development of drought and flood resistant crops as well as deepening our understanding of the impacts of global climate change and potential responses of natural systems.
