Justin O Borevitz

Genetics of local adaptation in plants Specific interests of the lab include the genetics of adaptation to seasonal light environments. Quantitative and population genetic approaches in Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis lyrata, Aquilegia (columbines), and switchgrass are used to dissect local and regional phenotypic variation. What genes and what alleles explain differential survival (germination/elongation) and reproduction (flowering time) in the field? Are these new variants or new combinations of existing polymorphisms? Are similar evolutionary steps occurring in related species living in a similar ecological context? Environmental variation in growth chambersgrowth chambers Genetic variation in environmental response In Arabidopsis, we have revealed extensive genetic variation in world-wide collections for seedling elongation (Nature Genetics 2001) and flowering time (Genetics 2005) under unique light environments and determined quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for this variation (Genetics 2002,2004, PLoSONE, 2007). The next questions are what are the genes underlying these QTL and what are the functional allelic differences? How have the patterns of variation at these loci been shaped by natural selection? Can we find evidence for local adaptation and determine the ecological environmental differences driving selection?

Genetics of local adaptation in plants Specific interests of the lab include the genetics of adaptation to seasonal light environments. Quantitative and population genetic approaches in Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis lyrata, Aquilegia (columbines), and switchgrass are used to dissect local and regional phenotypic variation. What genes and what alleles explain differential survival (germination/elongation) and reproduction (flowering time) in the field? Are these new variants or new combinations of existing polymorphisms? Are similar evolutionary steps occurring in related species living in a similar ecological context? Environmental variation in growth chambersgrowth chambers Genetic variation in environmental response In Arabidopsis, we have revealed extensive genetic variation in world-wide collections for seedling elongation (Nature Genetics 2001) and flowering time (Genetics 2005) under unique light environments and determined quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for this variation (Genetics 2002,2004, PLoSONE, 2007). The next questions are what are the genes underlying these QTL and what are the functional allelic differences? How have the patterns of variation at these loci been shaped by natural selection? Can we find evidence for local adaptation and determine the ecological environmental differences driving...

Publications can be found at  on Borevitzlab site

Publications can be found at  on Borevitzlab site