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Šafář Group

We study genes controlling flowering time in wheat and barley, with the main focus on the vernalization pathway. Using molecular approach, we investigate the vernalization response mechanism on both genetic and epigenetic levels. We also study an interesting phenomenon of panicoid rDNA present in different barley species in collaboration with the Institute of Botany. Furthermore, we work on joint project dedicated to sex genes determination in plants.

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Our group is also involved in The Application laboratory for agricultural research, a platform for cooperation between researches and breeders. For further information visit the Aplab website (Czech version only).

Group members

Jan Šafář Ph.D.

Radim Čegan Ph.D.

Beáta Strejčková Ph.D.

Research assistant
Application laboratory

Tereza Šlajsová MSc.

Projects

Molecular aspects of vernalization in temperate cereals

RNDr. Jan Šafář, Ph.D.

Vernalization is a process accelerating flowering in many plants after an extended period of cold. This important phenomenon is regulated both genetically and epigenetically. However, the molecular mechanism of vernalization in temperate cereal remains still elusive. This project aims to study a mechanism of vernalization as a response to a DNA sequence change of the VRN-1 gene including the following changes in chromatin structure. We will analyze VRN-1 . . .

Genome dynamics in the context of sex chromosome evolution in the genus Humulus

RNDr. Roman Hobza, Ph.D.

Sex chromosomes have evolved multiple times in both plants and animals. Numerous studies have shown that distant species may share fundamental properties of sex chromosome formation, while closely related species can differ greatly. We intend to investigate genome dynamics in two closely related dioecious species, Humulus lupulus and H. japonicus. Among the most prominent and interesting differences in these species are the variations in genome size . . .

Study of molecular mechanisms of vernalization in wheat

Jan Šafář Ph.D.

A transition from vegetative to reproductive stage is a crucial step in the plant development. Some plants have to undergo a few weeks of cold treatment – vernalization. In wheat, vernalization requirement is controlled by VRN genes. In comparison to recessive allele, a dominant allele VRN-1 responsible for a spring growth habit carries sequence changes. The aim of this project is to study a mechanism of vernalization as a response to a DNA sequence . . .

Y chromosome dynamics in dioecious plants: intra- and interspecies genomic . . .

Roman Hobza Ph.D.

Structuraly diverged sex chromosomes have volved in many animals as well as in some plants. Sex chromosomes represent a specific genomis region(s) with locally suppressed recombination. As a consequence, repetitive DNA accumulates on the Y (W) chromosome structure in selected populations in teo closely realted dioecious species, Silene latifoila and S. dioica. Using flow cytometry, NGS analysis and bioinfrmatics we are investigating which elements are . . .

Foreign DNA in barley (Hordeum spp.) - are there any genomic enablers of . . .

Václav Mahelka Ph.D. (Institute of Botany)

The evolutionary importance of horizontal gene transfer is increasingly ackonwledged, In the genus Hordeum (Triticeae, Pooideae), we revealed a spectacular diversity of foreign rDNA (ribotypes) corresponding to paniocid grasses. They were likely acquired through several independent horizonatal tranfers. We found that foreign rDNA together with LTR-retrotransposons was transferred from Panicum to H. bogdanii. Within this project we are investigating the . . .

Publications