Faculty Support: Erin Ciccone

My lab is very broadly interested in the evolution of floral morphology. We use molecular, morphological, and phylogenetic approaches to study how flowers have changed over the course of evolutionary time. Research projects in the lab cover a diverse set of topics, including gene lineage evolution and the effects of gene duplication, the morphological diversification of floral parts such as petals and fruits, and the evolutionary and ecological significance of pollinator interactions. Within this context, one of our major focus areas is the development of Aquilegia (columbine) as a new system for studying evolutionary and ecological questions.

Recent Publications

Min, Y., Kramer, E. M. (2016) The Aquilegia JAGGED homolog promotes proliferation of adaxial cell types in both leaves and stems. New Phytologist, DOI: 10.1111/nph.14282.

Kramer, E. M. (2015) Stranger in a strange land: The utility and interpretation of heterologous expression. Frontiers Plant Science, 6:734.

Yant, L., S. Collani, J. R. Puzey, C. Levy, and E. M. Kramer. (2015) Molecular basis for three-dimensional elaboration of the Aquilegia petal spur. Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Science, London, Series B, 282: 20142778.    

Sharma, B., L. Yant, S. A. Hodges, and E. M. Kramer. (2014) Understanding the development and evolution of novel floral form in Aquilegia. Current Opinion in Plant Development, 17:22-27.

Nikolov, L. A., P. K. Endress, M. Sugumaran, S. Sasirat, S. Vessabutr, E. M. Kramer, and C. C Davis. (2013) Developmental origins of the world’s largest flowers, Rafflesiaceae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 110:18578-18583.