Introduction to the Desiccation Tolerance Problem Space

This problem space is designed to allow exploration of the remarkable ability of some plants to undergo desiccation and revive with the addition of water.  This ability is ancient, and modern day descendants of the earliest land plants, such as mosses, retain this ability.  Vascular plants have lost desiccation tolerance in all tissues (with the exception of seeds, pollen and spores), but it has re-evolved in a few species.  The problem space includes gene expression data for desiccation sensitive and tolerant plants.  It also includes information on the evolutionary relationships of genes involved in desiccation tolerance. 

Goals:

To use phylogentic analysis of genes to identify families of genes common between evolutionarily basal desiccation tolerant plants, such as mosses, and desiccation tolerant vascular plants.

To identify which of these gene families is represented in a desiccation sensitive vascular plant.

To explore the expression pattern of specific genes within these gene families in desiccation tolerant and sensitive vascular plants.

Potential Investigations:

Expand comparisons to agricultural plants in drylands or areas at risk of increased desertification.

Expand to additional gene families.

Explore the evolutionary relationships between desiccation tolerant and intolerant vascular plants using phylogeography.

These are just a few of the possible investigations? Feel free to devise your own!

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