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Dr. Claudia Köhler, Max Planck Institute
February 6 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Epigenetic Drivers of Plant Species Diversity
Dr. Claudia Köhler, Director of Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Abstract
Transposable elements (in short transposons) are repetitive genetic sequences with the potential ability to mobilize and insert at new positions in the genome. This ability has promoted genetic innovations on an evolutionary scale. One example is the transposon-driven evolution of the endosperm, a nutritive seed tissue supporting embryo growth and providing the major source of calories for the human population. The endosperm is a developmental innovation of flowering plants that allowed to couple fertilization with the provision of nutrients to the developing seed. Our data show that transposons are intrinsically linked to endosperm development, not only by enforcing specific epigenetic landscapes, but also by serving as important sources of cis-regulatory elements. Importantly, the transposon-driven evolution of the endosperm is closely connected to the rapid radiation of angiosperms, for reasons that I will discuss in the seminar.
This GGA Seminar Series is held Zoom Only: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/99571426936?pwd=L2tqQjRUOWMzK1BkSFZSQXprYnRVQT09
