Green Flowers

Genetics Group, Matthias Schleiden Institute, University of Jena

In her research project, PhD student Ling Dong is investigating how so-called phytoplasmas influence plant development. These cell-wall free bacteria are the cause of various diseases in more than 1000 plant species worldwide. The photo shows a healthy flower of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana with green sepals, white petals, yellow stamens, and inner carpels. When the plant is infested by phytoplasmas, green leaf-like structures are formed instead of the normal flower organs. This phenomenon is also known “phyllody”. Ling Dong at the Institute of Genetics examines how this transformation takes place at the molecular level and which role the genes of phytoplasmas play in this process.

© Ling Dong

Green Flowers

Genetics Group, Matthias Schleiden Institute, University of Jena

In her research project, PhD student Ling Dong is investigating how so-called phytoplasmas influence plant development. These cell-wall free bacteria are the cause of various diseases in more than 1000 plant species worldwide. The photo shows a healthy flower of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana with green sepals, white petals, yellow stamens, and inner carpels. When the plant is infested by phytoplasmas, green leaf-like structures are formed instead of the normal flower organs. This phenomenon is also known “phyllody”. Ling Dong at the Institute of Genetics examines how this transformation takes place at the molecular level and which role the genes of phytoplasmas play in this process.

© Ling Dong