Plant microRNA evolution and mechanisms of shape change in plants
Contributors: Kramer, Elena M.; Davis, Charles; Mathews, Sarah; Mahadevan, Lakshminarayanan; Hunter, Craig
Published: 2012
Language: eng
Description: Plant microRNAs have been shown to have important roles in regulating diverse processes ranging from reproductive development to stress response. In the first two chapters, I focus on miRNA diversity in Aquilegia studying both anciently evolved broadly conserved and rapidly evolving species specific miRNAs. In chapter one, I utilize Aquilegia's critical phylogenetic position between the well developed models Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa to study the evolution of ancient miRNAs across the angiosperms. In chapter two, I utilize smallRNA high-throughput sequencing to annotate Aquilegia specific miRNAs and, in the process, uncover the novel regulation of a floral homeotic gene by an Aquilegia-specific miRNA.
Notes: Keywords: evolution, microRNA, petal, tendril.

Thesis Ph.D. Harvard University 2012