Yanni Dong
Doctor of Philosophy, (Plant Biology)
Study Completed: 2021
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Pachycladon species evolved traits to adapt to New Zealand habitats
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
P. cheesemanii is a perennial herb widespread in the South Island of New Zealand. As an allotetraploid, it is unknown whether it has evolved some different mechanisms from its close relative, A. thaliana, which help this species adapt to its particular living environmental conditions. Ms Dong constructed a draft genome of P. cheesemanii and compared its multiple-stress-induced gene expression profiling with that of A. thaliana. The genomic analysis showed the close similarity of the P. cheesemanii genome with that of A. thaliana and suggested that the strongly UV-B-induced UVR8-independent pathway in P. cheesemanii might help this species tolerate relatively high UV-B radiation. The multiple-stress-induced gene expression profiling revealed that, under various stresses, P. cheesemanii developed some unique characteristics. Ms Dong's research has provided valuable insight in understanding the evolved traits of Pachycladon species to adapt to New Zealand habitats.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Paul Dijkwel
Professor Jo Putterill
Dr Dave Wheeler
Dr Richard MacKnight