3 my $page=CXGN
::Page
->new('200406.html','html2pl converter');
4 $page->header('The Van Der Knaap Lab');
8 <h1>The van der Knaap lab</h1>
10 <p class="footnote"><img src="/static_content/community/feature/200406-1.jpg" width="720" height=
11 "540" border="0" alt="Members of the van der Knaap lab" /> From
12 Left: Marin Brewer, Amy Barrett, Maria Stillitano, Nic Welty,
13 Erin Schaffner, Jenny Moyseenko; Esther van der Knaap, Jason
14 Dickey, and Han Xiao</p>
17 <p><img src="/static_content/community/feature/200406-3.jpg" width="377" height="300" border="0"
18 align="right" hspace="15" vspace="10" alt="rectangle fruit" />
19 Breeding and mutation analysis in tomato have resulted in a
20 diverse germplasm collection, providing a rich resource for
21 studies on fruit morphology. Fruit morphological changes often
22 occur during ovary development prior to pollination or during
23 maturation of the fruit after pollination and fertilization.
24 Therefore, tomato varieties displaying altered fruit shape
25 provide unique insights into developmental processes controlling
26 ovary and fruit growth and maturation. Understanding the
27 molecular genetic basis of diversity in fruit form will allow
28 insights into evolutionary processes in tomato as well as other
29 fruit-bearing crops, and modification of developmental processes
30 regulating ovary and fruit formation.</p>
32 <p>In our laboratory, the basis of variation in tomato fruit
33 shape is studied by taking on a multi-tiered approach. Firstly,
34 we are performing a <span style="color:red">genetic</span>
35 analysis to identify loci that control variation in fruit shape
37 "http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vanderknaap/documents/longjohn.pdf">van
38 der Knaap et al., 2002</a>; <a href=
39 "http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vanderknaap/documents/stufferms.pdf">
40 van der Knaap and Tanksley 2003</a>). Selected loci will be
41 fine-mapped to allow identification of the genes underlying the
43 "http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vanderknaap/documents/sun.pdf">van
44 der Knaap and Tanksley, 2001</a>; van der Knaap et al, manuscript
45 in preparation). Secondly, we are conducting <span style=
46 "color:red">developmental</span> analyses to describe when
47 changes in fruit shape occur during ovary and/or fruit growth. In
48 addition, we want to know which tissues(s) in the ovary or fruit
49 display altered growth characteristics to allow changes in final
50 fruit shape. Thirdly, we are taking a <span style=
51 "color:red">molecular</span> approach to identify genes with
52 altered expression levels during ovary and fruit growth. Also, we
53 are identifying genes with different levels of expression due to
54 allelic variation at fruit shape loci. This information will
55 allow insights into networks of genes and biochemical processes
56 potentially downstream from fruit shape loci, and how fruit
57 morphology is regulated. Lastly, we are taking a <span style=
58 "color:red">bioinformatic</span> approach by developing software
59 to semi-automatically quantify fruit morphological
60 characteristics and integrating analysis of these shape
61 characteristics with gene expression and genotype
64 <p><img src="/static_content/community/feature/200406-2.jpg" width="720" height="486" border="0"
65 alt="circle fruit" /></p>
67 <h2>Contact Information</h2>
69 <p>Esther van der Knaap<br />
70 Department of Horticulture and Crop Science<br />
71 204A Williams Hall, The Ohio State University/OARDC<br />
72 Wooster OH 44691<br />
73 Tel:330-263-3822; FAX:330-263-3887; email: <a href=
74 "mailto:vanderknaap.l\@osu.edu">vanderknaap.1\@osu.edu</a><br />
76 "http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vanderknaap/">http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vanderknaap</a><br />