Chromosomal Organization in California Bay Laurel

Establishment of a Novel Methodology to Study Chromosomal Organization in the California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica)

Presenter: Alissa Padilla

Co-Presenter(s):
McKennah Goshgarian, Reeya Shah, and Lisa Hua

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Lisa Hua

Department: Biology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

Other Funding Source/Program: Milo Baker

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1VqzJwh61kw-zc9lo15awjNQA7Zs2oI7T

Abstract:
Changes in chromosome architecture have been implicated in gene misregulation, as chromosome architecture is abnormal in pathological cells. We have established a new experimental workflow to study the influence of Phytophthora ramorum (P. ramorum) on the chromosomal organization of California Bay Laurel (U. californica) using the model organism Azolla filiculoides. Our preliminary data shows the feasibility of embedding and staining plant tissue for chromosomes. Further optimization of the novel methodology is required before analyzing chromosome organization in vivo in U. californica. Our novel methodology will be used to understand the pathogenic effects of P. ramorum in the etiology of Sudden Oak Disease, thus contributing to our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of pathogen-host interaction.