GENETICS AND EPIGENETICS OF SEEDS

Our group studies early seed development, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model. We’re particularly interested in the mechanisms that regulate parent-of-origin gene expression in the zygote and pattern formation in early embryogenesis. We’re addressing these questions in developmental biology using a combination of genetics, epigenetics, genomics and cell biology. Our studies are relevant for the improvement of Mexican crops like maize and bean.

Recent projects:

• “Dissecting miRNA function in plant embryogenesis using genome editing” UCMEXUS-CONACyT (2017-2019)
• “miRNA and epigenetic regulation of early embryogenesis in Arabidopsis” CONACyT Ciencia Básica 2017-2018 (2019-2022).
• “The maternal to zygotic transition in Arabidopsis thaliana embryogenesis” SEP-CINVESTAV 2018 (2019-2021).
• “Genomic analysis of trans-chromosomal interactions in Drosophila embryo development” PRODEP 2018 (2018- 2019).
• “miRNA function studies in plant embryogenesis through genome editing.” UCMEXUS-CONACYT, CN-17-64, (2017-2019).
• “Zygotic genome activation in isogenic and hybrid Arabidopsis thaliana embryos.” CONACYT Basic Science 2014, no. 237580, (2015-2018).

Most relevant publications:

• 1. Arabidopsis thaliana miRNAs promote embryo pattern formation beginning in the zygote. Developmental Biology, 431(2), 145–151. 2017.
• 2. Convergent repression of miR156 by sugar and the CDK8 module of Arabidopsis Mediator. Developmental Biology, 423(1), 19–23. 2017.
• 3. Zygotic genome activation in isogenic and hybrid plant embryos. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 29, 148–153. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2015.12.007, 2016.
• 4. The Arabidopsis Mediator CDK8 module genes CCT (MED12) and GCT (MED13) are global regulators of developmental phase transitions. Development, 141(23), 4580–4589. 2014.
• 5. Non-equivalent contributions of maternal and paternal genomes to early plant embryogenesis. Nature, 514(7524), 624–627. 2014.

Recent publications:

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