PI: Luca Comai, University of Washington Co-PI: James A. Birchler, University of Missouri Co-PI: Z. Jeffrey Chen, Texas A&M University Co-PI: R. W. Doerge, Purdue University Co-PI: Robert A. Martienssen, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Co-PI: J. Chris Pires, University of Missouri Senior Personnel: Edward Himelblau, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Senior Personnel: Andreas Madlung, University of Puget Sound
Polyploidy can be found throughout the evolutionary history and diversity of eukaryotes, including flowering plants. Several of the most important agricultural crops are polyploid, such as wheat and Brassica, and many have identifiable polyploidy in their ancestry, such as maize. Whole genome duplication creates an autopolyploid by multiplying a single genome or an allopolyploid by combining two or more divergent genomes. Auto- and allopolyploids exhibit functional divergence of duplicate genes, increased variation and result in novel genetic interactions leading to greater phenotypic variability and hybrid vigor (heterosis). In this project, several hypotheses will be tested concerning the mechanisms of dosage-dependent and non-additive gene regulation in three complementary plant systems: Arabidopsis, Brassica and corn. The genetic basis of inbreeding depression, allopolyploid sterility, and hybrid vigor will be determined. Models for the molecular basis of gene regulation in polyploids using transgenic reporters and endogenous genes will be determined. The roles of chromatin structure and RNA interference in non-additive gene regulation will be tested. Gene expression changes in new polyploidy populations will be compared to identify loci affecting de novo phenotypic variation and hybrid vigor in polyploids.
In the post-sequencing era, polyploidy is one of the most challenging fields in plant biology. Results from this research will not only illuminate our understanding of polyploidy and the genetic mechanisms of non-additive gene action, but may also enable the improvement of agricultural crops.
Microarray data analysis and management will be streamlined using genome informatics and statistical methodologies. Research and training activities will be updated monthly at the project website. The senior personnel from two primarily teaching colleges (University of Puget Sound and California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo) will implement contemporary polyploidy and genomics modules into traditional genetics and biology curricula. The PIs will actively participate in exposing underrepresented students to research and teaching career opportunities by organizing summer internships and workshops in research laboratories in collaboration with local high and middle schools.
Access to project outcomes
Project data will be available at www.polyploidy.org/. Seeds will be deposited in the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center (ABRC: www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~plantbio/Facilities/abrc/abrchome.htm) and the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center (http://w3.ag.uiuc.edu/maize-coop/). DNA sequences will be deposited in GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Genbank/) and microarray data in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Genbank/GenbankOverview.html).
