Mapping out the Evolution of Sexual Systems in Hawaiian Plants using Big Data

Location

Virtual presentation

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2020 8:00 AM

End Date

5-2-2020 5:00 PM

Abstract

Schiedea is a genus of 32 species of Hawaiian endemic plants that are notable for their diverse reproductive strategies. We wish to reconstruct the evolution of these plants so that we can better understand the patterns of evolutionary changes in breeding systems and gene flow between plant species. In order to do that, we can construct phylogenetic trees using DNA sequence data to better understand their evolutionary history. Using high-throughput sequencing technology, we can sequence hundreds of genes for hundreds of DNA samples at a time. One such high-throughput technique is Hybridization Sequencing (HybSeq), where DNA samples are fragmented, tagged with unique barcodes, and retrieved using known RNA probes. The resulting millions of short DNA sequences are then pieced together using complex computer algorithms. We will use HybSeq to generate sequence data for approximately 200 individuals of Schiedea to understand the evolutionary relationships among different Schiedea species. The resulting data will also provide key insights into genetic diversity in Schiedea, which will be of high conservation importance given that most species in the genus are federally endangered.

Keywords:

Schiedea plant, Phylogenetics, Sequencing DNA, DNA library, HybSeq

Notes

Click here to view this presentation at the Office of Undergraduate Research website from April 27-May 2, 2020.

Major

Biology

Project Mentor(s)

Michael Moore, Biology

April 2020

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Apr 27th, 8:00 AM May 2nd, 5:00 PM

Mapping out the Evolution of Sexual Systems in Hawaiian Plants using Big Data

Virtual presentation

Schiedea is a genus of 32 species of Hawaiian endemic plants that are notable for their diverse reproductive strategies. We wish to reconstruct the evolution of these plants so that we can better understand the patterns of evolutionary changes in breeding systems and gene flow between plant species. In order to do that, we can construct phylogenetic trees using DNA sequence data to better understand their evolutionary history. Using high-throughput sequencing technology, we can sequence hundreds of genes for hundreds of DNA samples at a time. One such high-throughput technique is Hybridization Sequencing (HybSeq), where DNA samples are fragmented, tagged with unique barcodes, and retrieved using known RNA probes. The resulting millions of short DNA sequences are then pieced together using complex computer algorithms. We will use HybSeq to generate sequence data for approximately 200 individuals of Schiedea to understand the evolutionary relationships among different Schiedea species. The resulting data will also provide key insights into genetic diversity in Schiedea, which will be of high conservation importance given that most species in the genus are federally endangered.