Title: Applications of oligonucleotide microarrays for functional genomics in maize
Speaker: Dr. Nathan Springer, Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin
Time: 4:00pm April 1, 2003

Place: WSLR 116

Abstract
Current Research Interests: My overall research is focused on understanding the mechanisms and role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in maize. Maize specific research has focused on studying the role of several classes of genes in maize, including the DNA methyltransferases, methyl-binding domain proteins, SET domain proteins and homologs of the Polycomb group proteins. Other projects include studying aneuploid induced changes in gene expression, regulation of imprinting, and studies of the affect of the environment on gene regulation. The tools being used for my research include the generation of stable transgenic maize lines expressing inverted repeat RNAs and oligonucleotide microarrays for studies of genomic DNA and gene expression levels.


Some Recent Publications:
Springer NM, Selinger DA, Ritu Pandey R, Napoli CA, Cone KC, Chandler VL, Kaeppler HF, Kaeppler SM (2002) Comparative analysis of SET domain proteins in maize (Zea mays) and Arabidopsis reveals multiple duplications preceding the divergence of monocots and dicots. Plant Phys. in press

Springer NM, Danilevskaya O, Hermon P, Helentjaris T, Phillips RL, Kaeppler HF, Kaeppler SM (2002) Sequence Relationships, Conserved Domains, and Expression Patterns for Zea mays Homologs of the Drosophila Polycomb Group Genes E(z), esc, and E(Pc). Plant Phys. 128: 1332-1345.

Papa CM, Springer NM, Muszynski MG, Meeley R, Kaeppler SM (2001) Maize chromomethylase Zea methyltransferase2 is required for CpNpG methylation. Plant Cell 13: 1919-1928.

*Cao X, *Springer NM, Muszynski MG, Phillips RL, Kaeppler S, Jacobsen SE (2000) Conserved plant genes with similarity to mammalian de novo DNA methyltransferases. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 9:4979-4984.