Exploring Nucleolar Dominance and Concerted Evolution in Dragonfruit Hybrids

As a BTI intern, I investigated the expression of ribosomal RNA in diploid and polyploidy hybrids. PCR, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, cloning, and sequencing comprised the techniques that I used to answer questions about the rRNA expression in the genera Hylocereus and Calendula. In order to understand how rRNA expression changes after hybridization and polyploidization, I compared sequence polymorphism in nuclear ribosomal DNA to the sequence polymorphism detected in the mRNA of the Internal Transcribed Spacer regions.

My Experience

As a BTI intern, I investigated the expression of ribosomal RNA in diploid and polyploidy hybrids. PCR, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, cloning, and sequencing comprised the techniques that I used to answer questions about the rRNA expression in the genera Hylocereus and Calendula. In order to understand how rRNA expression changes after hybridization and polyploidization, I compared sequence polymorphism in nuclear ribosomal DNA to the sequence polymorphism detected in the mRNA of the Internal Transcribed Spacer regions.