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Genomic Studies in Monocots

Sites of recombination between Gasteria and Aloe genomes in the progeny of an Aloe x Gasteria hybrid.  Gasteria chromosomes are painted yellow following hybridization with fluorescently labelled genomic DNA from Gasteria.  Aloe chromosomes are stained red.

Monocot genomic diversity includes striking variation in nuclear DNA at many levels ranging from base sequences within and between genes, the number of chromosomes per genome, the number of genomes (ploidy) and the amount of DNA per genome (genome size). As part of a long-term, ongoing project based at the Jodrell Laboratory the evolutionary significance of this genome diversity is being studied in selected monocot groups, making use of the increasingly robust phylogenetic information being generated in the Jodrell and the extensive plant collections. Research techniques include: (i) Classical cytogenetics to count and characterise chromosome morphology, including C-banding; (ii) Various types of fluorescent in situ hybridization including chromosome painting to determine how particular DNA sequences are organised along chromosomes and how whole genomes are organised in hybrid and polyploid species; (iii) Feulgen microdensitometry and flow cytometry to estimate the genome size and (iv) Molecular sequencing tools for characterising the evolution of some of the many repetitive DNA sequences that make up the bulk of many monocot genomes. Current foci of study are Asparagales (including Orchidaceae) and Liliales, two of the orders with the greatest range of genome size.

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