B IOLOGY S EMINAR
PROMOTION LECTURE
4:00 PM S E M I N A R
H I T C H C O C K H A L L 132
R E F R E S H M E N T S I N F O Y E R 3:45 PM
AND FOLLOWING SEMINAR
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
“The ABCs of Flower Diversification:
An Evo-devo Approach”
Dr. Verónica Di Stilio
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Washington
Over a century after Charles Darwin referred to the origin and diversification of the flowering
plants as an “abominable mystery”, answers to this dilemma are finally attainable.
Developmental biology provides important clues: evidence points to evolutionary tinkering with
the ABC model of flower development resulting in floral diversification. An outstanding question
in evolution of development (evo-devo) is whether core gene functions are conserved across
distant lineages in spite of gene duplication leading to divergence. Using mutants with modified
floral patterns and a targeted gene silencing approach, we are generating a model of floral organ
specification after gene duplication in a non-core eudicot. Combining this developmental genetics
approach with a phylogenetic framework allows us to recapitulate transitions in sexual and
pollination systems in core as well as non-core eudicots, while more broadly testing the degree
of conservation of floral patterning.
Host: H.D. “Toby” Bradshaw
To request disability accommodations, contact the Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance of the event.
206-543-6450 OR dso@u.washington.edu