The ability to induce apomixis, the production of seeds from maternal tissues without fertilization or meiosis, in crop plants has been referred to as a holy grail of plant biology. The proposed project represents an exciting journey into the world of the genome structure of an apomictic Boechera species, closely related to the most prominent plant model Arabidopsis thaliana. The genus Boechera represents an ideal model system to compare sexual and apomictic reproduction and associated life history traits, as it is characterized by naturally-occurring diploid sexual and diploid apomictic forms. We aim to uncover the genome structure in several apomictic Boechera species, followed by detailed comparative genomic research. This project will contribute to uncover the genomic impact of apomixis, establish an invaluable comparative framework, and provide a strong starting point for developing more refined hypotheses about the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to the expression of apomixis in general.

Sustainable Development Goals

Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.

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