Presenter: Ivy Quaye
Group Members: Megi Kuruni
Faculty Sponsor: Aleel K. Grennan
School: Worcester State University
Research Area: Biological Organisms
Session: Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM, Auditorium, A59
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the functional characterization of the gene At4g19430 in Arabidopsis thaliana. RNA expression data predicts this gene is expressed in floral tissues, however its function is unknown. Two different transgenic seed lines with the full length gene tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) under either a constitutive or the endogenous promoter were planted out to screen for developmental and tissue specific GFP expression. A promoter region controls when and where a gene is turned on. If the endogenous promoter is developmentally regulated, the gene will only be expressed at specific developmental stages. If it is tissue-specific, the gene will only be expressed in particular tissue. Utilizing bioinformatics tools, we will also perform gene alignment across closely related Brassica species to identify conserved regions and potential functional domains. Furthermore, a genomic analysis will be performed between species to provide insight into divergence of At4g19430 and possible evolutionary conservation.RELATED ABSTRACTS