COSAM News Articles 2024 01 Seeking to unlock genomic aspects of plant adaptative radiations in Hawaii, Auburn biologist collaborates with team receiving $1.3 million award from NSF
Seeking to unlock genomic aspects of plant adaptative radiations in Hawaii, Auburn biologist collaborates with team receiving $1.3 million award from NSF
Daniel S. Jones, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is part of a team that received a three-year $1.3 million award ($474,926 to Auburn) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The project, Evolutionary and functional genomics of Hawaiian Bidens: determining the genetic basis of phenotypic trait diversification in a rapid adaptive radiation, is in collaboration with Matthew Knope from the University of Hawaii-Hilo and Christopher Muir from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“The long-term goal of this research project is to understand what drives the process of adaptive radiation in plants, an important question for understanding species’ evolution,” said Jones.
“I am fascinated by evolution and this award allows our group to dive deeper into the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in plant form among closely related species,” he added. “Through this research, we will be able to find more information about what drives evolution, identifying genes linked to traits influencing pollination as well as seed dispersal in the Hawaiian Bidens.”
Jones and his team of undergraduate and graduate students in the CapituLab at Auburn University will develop a model system to ask functional questions such as what genes regulate specific traits.
“We can use CRISPR to disrupt genes and test their function in a Bidens species closely related to Hawaiian Bidens,” Jones explained. “We will also be using genetic mapping experiments at Auburn greenhouses to understand how specific traits are passed along across multiple generations of plants.”
Another exciting aspect of this project is the outreach element.
“As a part of our work, we also get to host undergraduate students in our lab from the University of Hawaii to conduct hands-on plant developmental genetic research here on the Plains,” Jones said.
And these students will have the chance to gain valuable skills in Hawaii as well as in Wisconsin.
“This outreach is part of a larger exchange across all three universities and will benefit from the diverse skillsets and specialties from each group, including a focus on conservation of Hawaiian Bidens” he said.
Jones is excited about the underlying genetics of these plants that are native to Hawaii.
“With this system, we will be studying evolution as it is taking place,” Jones shared. “This is an incredible opportunity for the students and for the entire interdisciplinary team to develop new genomic and genetic resources that will provide insight into species evolution and diversification more broadly.”
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