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Michael
Marchizza Elizabeth Zimmer, Ph.D. "Awesome! The RET experience raised my level of enthusiasm and excitement for science. I can’t wait to share what I learned with my students and other teachers." |
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Michael
Marchizza Elizabeth Zimmer, Ph.D. "Awesome! The RET experience raised my level of enthusiasm and excitement for science. I can’t wait to share what I learned with my students and other teachers." |
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Genetic Variation Between Two
Species of Magnolia
Using Chloroplast Gene Spacer Sequences The plant family known as the Magnoliaceae includes woody trees and
shrubs comprising 12 genera and about 220 species. There are about
75 species in the Magnolia genus. Eight of these are native
to North America. Some of these species were introduced to England
in the 18th century for ornamental purposes. Many of the natural and
heritage cultivars are still maintained both here and in England.
This research investigates the genetic diversity in these cultivars.
Though the word Magnolia has come to be associated with the Southern
United States, there are some species of Magnolia that thrive
throughout the Eastern United States. Two of the native American species,
Magnolia virginiana (sweet bay magnolia) and Magnolia grandiflora
(bull bay or Southern magnolia) were used for an initial investigation
into genetic variation both within each species and between the two
species by comparing a region of chloroplast DNA. The sweet bay magnolia
is a graceful evergreen (southern habitats) to semi-evergreen (northern
habitats) that performs well in a wide range of soil conditions from
wet to slightly dry. It often grows as a multi-trunked clump. Because
of its form and fragrant ivory lemon-scented flowers it is often used
in landscaping. Southern magnolia is a large, broad-leafed evergreen
that typically has a straight and erect trunk with spreading branches.
Its large, white flowers make it ideal as a landscape tree. In this
study, leaf tissue was collected from two individuals of each species.
The DNA was then extracted and isolated. A set of primers were used
for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in order to amplify, or copy,
the chloroplast regions under study. The amplified regions were then
sequenced to compare the genetic variation of the individuals. Eventually,
additional specimens from all over the Eastern United States will
be collected and compared in order to produce phylogenetic relationships.
Other primers will be used to look at other regions of the chloroplast
DNA and also nuclear ribosomal DNA. This research was supported by a grant from the
National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers Award
Number DBI-0243512, Supplement #1 |