ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9084-4700

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Biology

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Dianella G Howarth

Second Advisor

Javier F Juarez

Third Advisor

Robert Kozol

Abstract

Throughout angiosperm evolution, shifts between radial (actinomorphic) and bilateral (zygomorphic) symmetry have occurred repeatedly, often correlating with increased pollinator specialization and diversification. Evidence shows that the transcription factor CYCLOIDEA (CYC) plays a role in establishing the dorsoventral identity of a flower, leading to the formation of bilateral symmetry. Previous work in the lab used Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) to transiently suppress the expression of four paralogous CYC genes: CYC2A, CYC2B, CYC3A, and CYC3B, in the non-model organism Fedia graciliflora (Caprifoliaceae), a species with strongly bilaterally symmetrical flowers nested within the more radially symmetric Valerianella. This study investigates the contributions of the CYC2 paralogs in shaping floral morphology by laying out the process of creating a double-knockdown viral vector of FgCYC2A and FgCYC2B using Gibson Assembly. This work establishes a foundation for future studies on the genetic interactions between CYC paralogs and their downstream targets, contributing to a deeper understanding of the evolution of floral symmetry.

Download

Share

COinS