Analysis of the signals that specify floral organ position

Flowers develop with a regular structure composed of distinct whorls of different floral organs in defined positions, but the factors that regulate this complex pattern are not well understood. This project uses the model plant Arabidopsis to study aspects of floral patterning. It will further investigate the molecular role of a gene that is a key regulator of petal initiation, and identify and characterise additional genes that regulate the underlying pattern of flowers. This work will ultimately lead to a greater understanding of the processes of flower development, and the ability to control these events in defined ways.