“How do Plants Decide to Flower?”

Prof.  Renee Sung,  Plant and Microbial Biology, College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley

I studied the mutation of Embryonic Flower gene (EMF). This gene is found in almost all flowering plants. This gene’s mutation, (emf) causes the plants to flower upon germination, producing sterile reproductive organs. This flowering gene inhibits the Agamous (AG) gene, which when active can cause new forming organs to be reproductive as opposed to vegetative. In order to gain a better understanding of the function of EMF, we are studying the morphological characteristics of emf mutants crossed with other types of mutants. The long term goal is to find a mutation that would rescue (counteract) the emf phenotype, producing a plant that would look like the wild type. Studying this gene’s interactions with other genes can help us understand more how plants put off flowering time until they are ready.

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Carlos is currently attending the University of California, Davis. Carlos attended Contra Costa College student where he was on the Dean’s list.  After obtaining his Bachelors Degree, he will to apply to a medical school and pursue a career in the health profession. Carlos is a first generation college student.