Chun-Neng Wang , PhD

The evolution of floral bilateral symmetry create flower diversity, the Darwin’s ‘abominable mystery’, and facilitate plant-pollinator interaction for reproductive success.

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My laboratory has taken an evo-devo-eco approach on: (1) understanding the developmental genetics of flower shape and inflorescence initiation in respects to floral symmetry and shoot apical meristem function; We elaborated Gloxinia (S. speciosa) and Titanotrichum as models allowing agrobacteria transformation and VIGS to functionally analyze floral symmetry and phase transition genes; (2) resolve the phylogeographic patterns, speciations and adaptations of East Asia endemic species, especially relic gymnosperms, disjunctly distributed flowering plants and ferns, by integrating evidences from genetic variations in population level, phylogenetic analysis and selection in molecular level. (3) Investigate pollination syndrome, flower color, and corresponding pollinators along altitudinal gradient of mountains of subtropical island, Taiwan.

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Works are especially on non-model African violet family (Gesneriaceae) emphasized the technical challenges of getting transient, stable transformation and developing genomic resources to study gene regulation and function on a variety of floral and inflorescence forms. Our recent evo-devo progress mainly on studying the developmental genetics of floral bilateral symmetry in Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) and African violet (Saintpaulia velutina) by artificial crossings for genetic analysis. Also, we have long interests on studying the inflorescence phase transition by floral reversion to bulbils inflorescence in Titanotrichum oldhamii. The strategies include using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Micro dissection, real-time PCR and in-situ hybridizations to examine candidate genes’ expression patterns, Bioinformatics/Transcriptome Analysis, tissue culture and Genetic transformation. My lab members currently work on the evolution and comparative expression of floral transcription factors belonging to the TCP-CYC-TB1 gene families, inflorescence and meristem identity genes. We also developed a transformation protocol in S. speciosa allowing functional analysis of these developmental genes. We aim to elaborate Gesneriaceae species as a model to gain insight into the evolution of body plans and various life history traits that exemplify vascular plants.

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Our lab members also works on East Asia endemic fern, gymnosperm and Gesneriaceae species (Conandron ramondioides) phylogeography to understand the genetic relations of Taiwanese populations to that of adjacent mainlands to understand the speciation of island flora and how topographic variations of Taiwan have enhanced niche diversification for species adaptation. Techniques employed in these topics include phylogenetic analysis and population genetics tools.

We also study the evolution of reproductive strategies of rare Gesners such as autonomous selfable C. ramondioides, bird pollinated Aeschynanthus acuminata and orchids such as Gastrodia flexistyla, Eulophia pelorica and Listera species to understand the mechanism of plant-pollinator interaction.