Dr. Renate Schmidt

Group "Genome Structure and Function"
New Position: Research Group Leader Genome Plasticity, IPK Gatersleben

The group is applying a molecular genetic approach to study transgene silencing in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, a comparative genomics approach is taken to reveal patterns of genome evolution in members of the Brassicaceae family.

The Arabidopsis thaliana genome is best studied of all higher plants. By applying comparative genomic approaches, we are on our way to resolving mechanisms of importance in plant genome evolution. We use comparative mapping and sequencing to describe structural alterations in the genomes of Arabidopsis and related plant species. Polyploidy (having more than two genome copies per nucleus of a cell) is widespread in the plant kingdom; therefore, we are interested in looking at the fate of duplicated regions. We are also using a molecular genetic approach to look at how changes in genome structure influence gene expression.