St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Undergraduate Assistant
Biology Major
Research Interest: Evolution history of the panicoid clade
I am looking at the evolutionary history of the panicoid clade, also known as the bristle clade. This clade includes grasses such as Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), and Green Millet (Setaria viridis). Foxtail millet is a major crop in China and is also used as birdseed. Pearl millet is a major crop in India and South Africa.
To examine the evolutionary relationship within the panicoid clade, I am using the waxy gene that is a nuclear marker that is easily amplified and sequenced. This gene codes for granule bound starch synthase (GBSSI), which, when knocked out, produce sticky rice rather than normal rice. The nuclear genome is biparental, meaning that DNA is present from both the male and female parent, in contrast to the chloroplast genome that is maternal DNA passed through the mother's line. I will compare the trees produced by the nuclear DNA and compare them with those already produced in the lab of chloroplast DNA to see where they are similar and where they differ.
Current Lab Activity:
DNA has been extracted from many species from the bristle clade, including the species mentioned above. This DNA will be amplified and sequenced. The sequences will be analysed and compared to the results of trees formed from chloroplast genes.