Centrosema Research

Centrosema Research is a partnership of chemistry and biology students studying in Dr. Clarke Miller, Ph. D, MBA biochemistry laboratory and Dr. Tom Diggs, Ph.D plant phylogenetics research laboratory. We are combining traditional morphological and geological approach to determining if a plant can be considered a distinct species, with a molecular... phylogentetic approach to determining how closely these plants are related to other members of their species and their genus. Our research partnership seeks to untangle the botanical mystery of two unique coastal morphologies of Centrosema virginianum in North America. To conduct our analysis we must examine and record over 60 morphological features per genetically-unique Centrosema sample included in our study. Once measurements are added to our database, we analyze the data and compare to published descriptions. We also examine how geologic zones relate to unique physical features of the research plants. Our phylogenetic research requires us to adapt standard extraction techniques to a diploid plant that can be unwilling to part with viable quantaties of DNA. Thus far, a customized version of [name] Sorbitol extraction procedure has proved most effective at reliably obtaining viable quantities of DNA. Extracted DNA is amplified with custom primers for our target segments via Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Those segments will be sent for matk and trnk analysis at an outside lab as soon as funding is obtained. Our next step will be to analyze sequenced DNA samples to identify the degree, if any, of genetic differences between the identified morphological variations.Read More