Abstract Detail

From canonical to new model systems: The future of plant development

Gunawardena, Arunika [1], Lacroix , Christian  [2].

From canonical to new model systems: The future of plant development.

In plant development research, Arabidopsis thaliana has been the genetic model of choice for many years. Its relatively short life cycle, small and sequenced genome, ability to transform, as well as optimized and standard protocols make Arabidopsis a popular tool for understanding the cell and molecular biology of plants. However, there are many other non-model species with great potential to complement our knowledge of developmental processes in model organisms. The available standard protocols for model species and current techniques make it feasible to exploit the unique potential of other systems such as lace plant, Norway spruce, water milfoil, soybean to broaden our understanding of the developmental mechanisms at work. This proposed symposium will provide a valuable opportunity for researchers to present recent findings in plant development using model and non-model species. This symposium will be organized around different areas (e.g programmed cell death, epigenetics, and reproductive biology) that collectively, will identify approaches and methodologies used in plant development research. At the end, participants will be invited to share and discuss how model (as well as non-model species) can be used to further our understanding of plant development. We propose Dr. Peter Bozhkov, a known expert in the area of programmed cell death, as the keynote speaker. We will invite five other experts from different disciplines of plant development as speakers. We also propose to have two student speakers selected on the merit of their submitted abstracts. Collectively, these speakers will provide a variety of perspectives to this proposed symposium.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Dalhousie University, Life Science Centre, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4J1, Canada
2 - University of Prince Edward Island, Biology, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI , C1A 4P3, Canada

Keywords:
Non-model species.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY10
Location: Delaware A/Hyatt
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Time: 1:30 PM
Number: SY10SUM
Abstract ID:27