|
|
| Name |
Poethig, Richard S. |
| Location
|
University of Pennsylvania |
| Primary Field
|
Plant Biology |
| Secondary Field
|
Cellular and Developmental Biology |
 Election Citation
|
|
Poethig and coworkers pioneered the genetic analysis of the juvenile-to-adult transition in plants, and identified the microRNA that regulates this transition. These studies provide new opportunities for modifying the shoot architecture of plants and this ability may be beneficial for both food and biofuel production. |
|
Research Interests
|
|
We are currently working on the relationship between vegetative phase change (i.e. the juvenile-to-adult vegetative transition) and reproductive phase change (i.e. the acquisition of reproductive competence). It is generally assumed that vegetative phase change is a pre-requisite for reproductive competence, but there is no conclusive evidence for this, and there are many species in which this is not the case. In addition, we are characterizing natural variation in vegetative phase change in Arabidopsis and species within the Acaceae, and identifying genes responsible for this variation. Finally, we are working to determine the ecological significance of vegetative phase change -- why do plants make juvenile and adult leaves? |
|
|
|