17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Genetics and Cytology of the Meristem Mutant Pluripetala in Arabidopsis
Jolene M. Miesner
Dr. Mark Running (Donald Danforth Plant Science Center) and Dr. Jeffrey M. Osborn, Faculty Mentors
Apical meristems are important regions of the plant; they produce the primary structure of the plant body, which in turn affects plant function. Because apical meristems initiate development of the other organs, understanding meristem function makes it possible to strategically modify meristematic genes such that the plant produces more leaves, a greater number of flowers, or a sturdier stem. Alterations of the meristem, however, can also be detrimental, resulting in improper functioning. The objective of this study was to examine how the mutant known as pluripetala affected meristem size and structure in Arabidopsis, an important genetic model among plants. Pluripetala results in the loss of meristem size control, causing mutant plants to develop atypical sizes of the shoot and root apical meristems. Another aspect of the research involved crossing pluripetala mutant plants with plants that possessed other known mutations, in order to determine in which developmental pathways the PLURIPETALA gene plays a role.
Keywords: Arabidopsis, pluripetala, meristem, apical meristem, mutant, genetic regulation, confocal microscopy
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 36-2
Location: VH 1432
Time: 2:30