Objective Plant and animal organs display a remarkable diversity of shapes. A major challenge in developmental and evolutionary biology is to understand how this diversity of forms is generated. Recent advances in imaging, computational modelling and genomics now make it possible to address this challenge effectively for the first time. Leaf development is a particularly tractable system because of its accessibility to imaging and preservation of connectivity during growth. Leaves also display remarkable diversity in shape and form, with perhaps the most complex form being the pitcher-shaped (epiascidiate) leaves of carnivorous plants. This form has evolved four times independently, raising the question of whether its seeming complexity may have arisen through simple modulations in underlying morphogenetic mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, I aim to develop a model system for carnivorous plants based on Utricularia gibba (humped bladderwort), which has the advantage of having one of the smallest genomes known in plants (~2/3 the size of the Arabidopsis genome) and small transparent pitcher-shaped leaves amenable to imaging. I will use this system to define the morphogenetic events underlying the formation of pitcher-shaped leaves and their molecular genetic control. I will also develop and apply computational modelling to explore hypotheses that may account for the development of U. gibba bladders and further test these hypotheses experimentally. In addition, I will investigate the relationship between U. gibba bladder development and species with simpler leaf shapes, such as Arabidopsis, or species where the epiascidiate form has evolved independently. Taken together, these studies should show how developmental rules elucidated in current model systems might be extended and built upon to account for the diversity and complexity of tissue forms, integrating evo-devo approaches with a mechanistic understanding of morphogenesis. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS3 - ERC Advanced Grant - Cellular and Developmental Biology Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120314 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator JOHN INNES CENTRE Address Norwich research park colney NR4 7UH Norwich United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk Administrative Contact Mary Anderson (Dr.) Principal investigator Enrico Coen (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 2 499 997,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all JOHN INNES CENTRE United Kingdom EU contribution € 2 499 997,00 Address Norwich research park colney NR4 7UH Norwich See on map Region East of England East Anglia Breckland and South Norfolk Administrative Contact Mary Anderson (Dr.) Principal investigator Enrico Coen (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
