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Joanne
Dannenhoffer - Professor Current
Research on Maize Endosperm |
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My research lab is working to elucidate the cytological
and genetic mechanisms controlling early endosperm development in maize
kernels. Maize kernels are a major
food source and industrial commodity for the starch housed in the endosperm
tissue. Our work uses microscopy and
growth analysis to describe the formative events in endosperm tissue
development within the kernel. During this work we discovered and named a new
cell type and are currently extending our light microscopic descriptions of
these cells using transmission electron microscopy to describe their
ultrastructure. Through a large scale sequencing effort of these earliest
developmental stages, we described what genes are expressed and how gene
expression changes during development.
We are building upon this work to tie gene regulatory networks to
developmental events and specific cell types. In addition, we are taking a
comparative approach to study how endosperm development in the reference
genetic line of maize compares with other lines with large and small mature
kernels to help understand the determinants that produce large kernels with
abundant starch. Lastly, we are
currently examining the effects of drought stress on early endosperm and
kernel development.
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Research |
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