Polyploidy generates beauty: exploration of complex genomes of roses (Rosa L. sect. Caninae (DC.) Ser.)

• Applicant: Dr. Christiane Ritz
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi ; Plant Genetics and Genomics
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 282205794

Despite significant progress in our understanding of polyploid genomes many aspects of their evolution remain poorly understood. Rosa represents an economically important genus with widespread polyploidy. However, Rosa is also enigmatic in having a unique reproduction system called 'permanent odd polyploidy'. Here we propose to explore Rosa mitosis and meiosis using cytogenetic, molecular and genomic approaches. By using conventional rDNA and newly developed chromosome-specific FISH probes, we are going to follow the behaviour of genomes during meiosis in parental species and natural hybrids. Deep sequencing of Rosa genomes yielding large amount of genomic sequences will be useful for generation of genome and chromosome-specific probes. We expect that such an approach will allow us to obtain information about the major components constituting the chromosome sets which are characterised by their different meiotic behaviour.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Czech Republic
• Partner Organisation: Czech Science Foundation
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Volker Wissemann
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Ales Kovarik