Molecular and Genetic Analysis of Flower Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Angiosperm flowers consist of four organ types: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. We are interested in understanding the specification of organ identity in flowers of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana.  In particular, we are concentrating our studies on the floral organ identity genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI). In ap3 and pi mutants, the petals are converted into sepals, and the stamens into carpels.  AP3 and PI are members of the MADS transcription factor family. Present studies in the lab are aimed at characterizing genes that function together with AP3 and PI to specify petals and stamens.  A second project in the lab involves the molecular and genetic characterization of a moderate-sized plant-specific gene family called the reproductive meristem gene family (REM gene family). 

Current lab members: Tom Jack, Eileen Piwarzyk, Anwesha Nag, Stacey King