Yale Bulletin and Calendar

August 26, 2005|Volume 34, Number 1

Pictured here are the middle petals of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which was used in studies to determine how flower development is controlled.

'Gene trapping' reveals how flower
development is controlled

Scientists at Yale and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory report the first large-scale survey of patterns of gene expression in flowers, using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to identify the genes most likely to have critical roles in plant reproduction.

The researchers studied 1,765 lines and identified 80 genes active in petal and stamen development using "gene trapping." In this gene discovery technique a reporter tag was inserted into cells so that they stained blue only when targeted genes were active. When an interesting developmental pattern was identified, the tagged gene was isolated and characterized.

These researchers studied Arabidopsis thaliana, a relative of the mustard plant, to take advantage of the already extensive genetic information available. Most familiar plants are flowering plants, so defining how flowering occurs in Arabidopsis thaliana can be used to understand this process in crops, weeds and trees.

"If a gene is turned on only in one type of tissue or organ within a flower, the chance is good that the gene has an important role in development of that organ. From this collection of patterns of gene expression, we can gain interesting insights about how gene activity is allocated during flower development," says lead author Naomi Nakayama, a graduate student at Yale. "Understanding the process of flower development will help efforts to control aspects of plant reproduction like cross-pollination and seed production."

"Our results show at what times and in which places genes are active," explains Vivian Irish, associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale and senior author on the paper. "It is more than just a phone book of gene names; it tells us what these genes are doing. This is an excellent example of how modern molecular biology techniques help to increase our understanding of complex biological processes."

Collaborators included Juana M. Arroyo, Joseph Simorowski and Bruce May working with Robert Martienssen at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The research was funded with grant support from the National Science Foundation.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Margaret Grey is named dean of School of Nursing

Benson to step down as dean of School of Art after this year

Team discovers new planet in the outer solar system

Grant will fund center for study of nervous system

Study: Alligator eggs show effect of oxygen on development

Yale Librarian Prochaska appointed to a second term

New master's program prepares nurses for leadership roles

Exhibit explores the 18th-century 'worlds' of Francis Wheatley

Private portrait miniatures showcase the faces of public figures

Gallery hosting festive open house . . .

Architecture gallery to feature traveling art show 'Ant Farm'

Sterling Library launches new academic year with two exhibits

Researchers create powerful tool for decoding gene functions

Galapagos tortoises more diverse than once believed, say scientists

Team identifies 'signatures' of protons in water

'Canary Database' shows animals offer health warnings for humans

Team digitally reconstructs long-extinct 'Lamp Shell'

'Gene trapping' reveals how flower development is controlled

Discovery may aid development of treatment for melanoma

Drinking alcohol may lower risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Lyme disease prevention program launched in Connecticut

For 35 students, summer was a time of service in New Haven

IN MEMORIAM

John Ostrom: He revolutionized field of paleontology

Robert Abelson: Psychologist was adviser to presidential candidates

Greer Allen: University printer was inspiration to School of Art students