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Researchers in this section are interested in
the evolution and diversification among major lineages of algae and
fungi.
Faculty in this section include: Linda Graham Andrea Gargas  The
algae researchers are interested in the origin of green algae,
especially the charophyceans, the protist group most closely related
to the ancestry of plants. We would like to understand why many
cellular features of even early-divergent charophyceans (such as
photorespiratory organelles and enzyme systems) are so different from
those of other green algal groups. We also investigate the origins of
fundamental plant features that first appear in charophycean algae or
bryophytes (such as plasmodesmata).
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fungal researchers focus on the evolution of fungi in symbiotic
relationships (lichens, mycorrhizae, and plant pathogens). Lichen
associations between fungi and algae arose several times within the
fungi, yet until recently the closest relatives of lichen-forming fungi
were not clear. We use the tools of molecular systematics to examine the
relationships among the major fungal lineages, and the origins of
lichens. Until now, phylogenetic analyses have been limited to
information from one or a few gene sequences. We are developing methods
to draw phylogenetic information from genomic arrays, to examine en
masse the genetic variation between fungal taxa.Lichen biogeography and fungal/algal coevolution also are being studied by applying molecular methods to a group of tropical lichens. The research of graduate student Marie Trest will test standard concepts of lichen biogeography and speciation, and will add information from the lichen photobionts to test for coevolution between the symbionts. |
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