Biology Dept. features talk on 'Genetic Control of Root Development' on April 9, 2010

Friday, April 9, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
CPISB, Room 120

The Biology Department is pleased to have as our speaker Benjamin Harrison, who will speak on 'Genetic Control of Root Development.'

Plant form and function are determined in large part by the activity of meristems located at the apex of shoot and root organs. In plants, meristems are the primary sites of cell division, thus growth potential. Meristems have several vital functions including the maintenance of a stem cell population, the specification of cell identity and keeping cell division and cell expansion balanced.

The mechanisms controlling meristem activity remain mysterious despite decades of physiological studies and the discovery of several genetic pathways involved in maintaining meristem function. One goal of our research group is to further explore root development using a forward genetic strategy aimed first at identifying mutants showing conditional defects in root growth. We will present the results of a genetic screen that identified a small collection of such mutants. We will report the initial genetic characterization of these mutants and show evidence suggesting that some mutants have altered meristem function.

Parking on the UAA campus is free on Fridays. No-host refreshments will be provided following the discussion. For more information, contact Elizabeth Winfree at (907) 786-4780.