Award details

Genome relationships, evolution and recombination in grasses.

Reference	BBS/E/G/00003479
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Huw Thomas
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res
Department	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	89,022
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	24 months

Abstract

Species within the Lolium/Festuca complex have a wide range of forms and occupy very diverse habitats. The species have evolved by differentiation at the diploid level and by polyploidization of hybrids between the diverse forms. An understanding of the species relationships is fundamental to the exploitation of this huge genetic diversity. Divergence of genomes may be by chromosome rearrangements or involve quantitative or qualitative DNA changes. Chromosome pairing in hybrids is analysed to measure the phylogenetic relationship of the species and analysis of synaptonemal complexes used to detect small structural rearrangements between homoeologues. Genomic in situ hybridization is being used to show similarities between genomes at the DNA level and in situ hybridization of region or chromosome specific sequences is used to detect rearrangements. Chromosome recognition, synapsis and recombination are probably influenced by genes and by differences between chromosomes at the molecular and structural levels. We are seeking a greater understanding of the meiotic processes for two reasons. Firstly, to promote pairing between homoeologous chromosomes to transfer genes between species (sexual transgenetics). Secondly, to prevent unwanted pairing between homoeologues.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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