Kelly, Laura J.
Job TitlePostdoctoral Researcher in Genome Size Evolution
DepartmentJodrell Laboratory
SectionGenetics
Science Teams:
Joined Kew: 2010
Qualifications & Appointments
BSc (1st class Hons), University of Reading, 2000
PhD, University of Reading, 2005
Role
Research into plant genome size evolution; phylogenetic analysis of species relationships in Fritillaria
I am investigating the evolutionary dynamics of genome size change in plants, using the genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) as a model system. The major components of giant Fritillaria genomes are being identified and characterised by studying data generated from next-generation sequencing technologies (454 and Illumina). Using a range of bioinformatic approaches, I am analysing highly repetitive DNA from multiple species. This is providing us with new insights into the composition and evolution of the repetitive fraction of plant genomes, and leading to a better understanding of the processes involved in genome expansion. I am also involved in a complementary project on the evolutionary relationships of Fritillaria species; building on previous research done at Kew, we are working towards an increasingly robust phylogenetic hypothesis for species relationships within the genus. A better understanding of how the different groups of Fritillaria species are related will provide us with a phylogenetic framework within which we can interpret data from our genomic studies.
Projects
Selected Recent Publications
Kelly, L.J. & Leitch, I.J. (2011). Exploring giant plant genomes with next-generation sequencing technology. Chromosome Research 19: 939-953.
Kelly, L.J., Hollingsworth, P.M., Ellis, C J., Coppins, B.J., Harrold, P., Tosh, J. & Yahr, R. (2011). DNA barcoding of lichenized fungi demonstrates high identification success in a floristic context. New Phytologist 191: 288-300.
Kelly, L.J., Leitch, A.R., Clarkson, J.J., Hunter, R.B., Knapp, S. & Chase, M.W. (2010). Intragenic recombination and evidence for hybrid speciation in Nicotiana (Solanaceae). Molecular Biology and Evolution 27: 781-799.
Kelly, L.J., Ameka, G.K. & Chase, M.W. (2010). DNA barcoding of African Podostemaceae: a test of proposed regions. Taxon 59: 251-260.
Clarkson J J., Kelly, L.J., Leitch, A R., Knapp, S. & Chase, M.W. (2010). Nuclear glutamine synthetase evolution in Nicotiana: phylogenetics and the origins of the allotetraploid and homoploid (diploid) hybrids. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55: 99-112.
Selected Earlier Publications
CBOL Plant Working Group [Hollingsworth, P.M., Forrest, L.L., Spouge, J.L., Hajibabaei, M., Ratnasingham, S., van der Bank, M., Chase, M.W., Cowan, R.S., Erickson, D.L., Fazekas, A.J., Graham, S.W., James, K.E., Kim ,K.–J., Kress, W.J., Schneider, H., van Alphen Stahl, J., Barrett, S.C.H., van den Berg, C., Bogarin, D., Burgess, K.S., Cameron, K.M., Carine, M., Chacón, J., Clark, A.C., Clarkson, J.J., Conrad, F., Devey, D.S., Ford, C.S., Hedderson, T.A.J., Hollingsworth, M.L., Husband, B.C., Kelly, L.J., Kesanakurti, P.R., Kim, J.S., Kim, Y.D., Lahaye, R., Lee, H.–L., Long, D.G., Madriñán, S., Maurin, O., Meusnier, I., Newmaster, S.G., Park, C.–W., Percy, D.M., Petersen, G., Richardson, J.E., Salazar, G.A., Savolainen, V., Seberg, O., Wilkinson, M.J., Yi, D.–K., & Little, D.P.]. (2009). A DNA barcode for land plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 106: 12794-12797.
Ford, C.S., Ayres, K.L., Haider, N., Toomey, N., van Alphen Stahl, J., Kelly, L.J., Wikström, N., Hollingsworth, P., Duff, J.R., Hoot, S.B., Cowan, R.S., Chase, M.W., Wilkinson, M.J. (2009). Selection of candidate DNA barcoding regions for use on land plants. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 159: 1-11.
Kelly, L.J. & Culham, A. (2008). Phylogenetic utility of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH4 (MAX4)-like genes: a case study in Digitalis/Isoplexis (Plantaginaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 273: 133-149.
Chase, M.W., Cowan, R.S., Hollingsworth, P.M., van den Berg, C., Madriñan, S., Petersen, G., Seberg, O., Jørgsensen, T., Cameron, K.M., Carine, M., Pedersen, N., Hedderson, T.A.J., Conrad, F., Salazar, G.A., Richardson, J.E., Hollingsworth, M L., Barraclough, T.G., Kelly, L J. & Wilkinson, M. (2007). A proposal for a standardised protocol to barcode all land plants. Taxon 56: 295-299.
