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 National Science
Foundation Award #0446191 |
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Developmental Evolution of Fertilization Biology In Ancient Angiosperm Lineages |
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| Investigator(s): |
William Friedman (PI)
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| Sponsor: |
University of Colorado at Boulder, CO 80309 3034926221
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| Start Date/Expiration Date |
2005-01-01 to 2005-12-31 (amended 2004-12-27) |
| Awarded Amount to Date: |
$141,042 |
| Abstract: 1
Award Abstract and Statement of Broader Impacts of Planned Research
After a long period of empirical and intellectual stagnation, many of the century-old paradigms about the
initial phases of the diversification of angiosperms are in the midst of being rewritten. It is now evident
that the earliest phases of angiosperm evolution may have been characterized by a very high degree of
developmental experimentation and structural lability. In contrast to concerted efforts to study the
evolution of floral morphology, vegetative anatomy and ecophysiology among ancient angiosperm
lineages, little attention has been paid to reconstructing the early diversification of embryological features
among flowering plants. It is the explicit goal of the planned research to study the basic and highly
interrelated processes of female gametophyte development, double fertilization, and endosperm formation
from an evolutionary developmental perspective in a set of species specifically chosen to represent the
breadth of diversity among basal clades of flowering plants.
The following four interrelated questions will be addressed: 1) Did the earliest flowering plants possess a
process of double fertilization, and have some ancient angiosperm lineages lost this process? 2) What was
the developmental pattern and mature structure of the ancestral angiosperm female gametophyte? 3) Are
there additional and previously undocumented developmental patterns and mature structures of female
gametophytes among basal angiosperm lineages? 4) How has ploidy and genetic constitution (e.g. the
maternal to paternal genomic ratio) of early angiosperm endosperm evolved? Beyond establishing
general developmental principles that can explain the diversification of female gametophyte structure and
endosperm genetic structure and ploidy, the planned research will make a significant contribution to
understanding more general aspects of the tempo and mode of character evolution during the earliest
phases of the evolutionary diversification of flowering plants.
The proposed research will contribute significantly to the development of human resources in the
sciences. Members of the Friedman lab (undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctorals, technicians)
have the opportunity to grapple with some of the most basic and longstanding questions in evolutionary
biology, and to develop independent intellectual skills. All members of the lab are charged with
significant scientific responsibility. One Ph.D. student, Eric Madrid, is a member of an underrepresented
group in the sciences (Hispanic). He will be directly supported by the proposed research grant. Eric is
committed to outreach efforts to improve the level of participation of minorities in the sciences and
already has had a major impact in serving as a role model for other members of underrepresented groups
in the sciences.
Currently, most of the members of the Friedman lab are women and aspire to careers in the life sciences
as educators and/or practicing scientists. One technician, Kirsten Ryerson, who will be supported by the
proposed research grant, plans to enter a career in public school science education. She will begin
working towards a teaching certificate for the state of Colorado next fall. Her direct engagement in
research in the Friedman lab should directly benefit her future biology students. Another technician who
will be supported by the planned research grant, Amanda Redford, is keen to pursue research
opportunities that will lead to graduate study. Finally, through the REU program, undergraduates will be
supported to gain first hand research experience in the laboratory of the PI, William Friedman. In
essence, while the vast majority of funds associated with this proposal will go to support the solution of
basic and longstanding scientific questions, these funds will play a critical role in supporting the
development of members of the next generation of life scientists and educators.
Finally, it is anticipated, that the basic findings derived from the planned research will, as has been the
case in the past, be covered in college level textbooks. Thus, the research should have an impact on
undergraduate and graduate curriculum development throughout the U.S. |
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| NSF Org: |
IOB - Division of Integrative Organismal Biology |
| Award Number: |
0446191 |
| Award Instrument: |
Continuing grant |
| Program Manager: |
William E. Winner
IOB Division of Integrative Organismal Biology
BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
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| NSF Program(s): |
ENVIRON & STRUCTURAL SYS CL |
| Field Application(s): |
Other nsf.applications NEC |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
GENERAL FOUNDATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 9183 |
| Program Element Code(s): |
7474 |
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