Greg Copenhaver

The Copenhaver lab is broadly interested in understanding how chromosomes function as well as the dynamic processes that influence them. To achieve this goal the lab uses the model flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. One research focus is the regulation of meiotic recombination at the genomic level. While significant progress has been made in understanding many of the molecular components of the recombination process in lower eukaryotes like the yeast S. cerevisiae, far less is known about similar functions in complex multicellular organisms. Because of the complexities of higher eukaryotic genomes such as extensive gene duplication, DNA modifications and the organization of multiple chromosomal domains into heterochromatin, the molecules that govern meiotic recombination in these organisms are likely to be novel and of significant biological interest. Additionally, their identification may have practical benefits, contributing to our understanding of human disease genes and providing useful tools for agricultural bioengineering. A second research focus is the role of centromere DNA in chromosome dynamics. Centromeres are the chromosomal domains that direct segregation during cell division by mediating a number of critical functions including: attachment of chromosomes to spindle microtubules, nucleation of kinetochore proteins, and maintenance of sister-chromatid cohesion. Arabidopsis centromeres are some of the best characterized among higher eukaryotes. Currently the efforts in the lab are focused on obtaining a complete definition of the DNA within the genetically defined centromeres of Arabidopsis.

Selected Publications:
Francis KE, Lam SY, Harrison BD, Bey AL, Berchowitz LE, Copenhaver GP.(2007) Pollen tetrad-based visual assay for meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104:3913-8.

Francis KE, Lam SY, Copenhaver GP. (2006) Separation of Arabidopsis pollen tetrads is regulated by QUARTET1, a pectin methylesterase gene. Plant Physiol142:1004-13.

Lam SY, Horn SR, Radford SJ, Housworth EA, Stahl FW, Copenhaver GP. (2005) Crossover interference on nucleolus organizing region-bearing chromosomes in Arabidopsis. Genetics 170:807-12.

Stahl FW, Foss HM, Young LS, Borts R, Abdullah MFF and Copenhaver GP (2004) Does crossover interference count in Saccharomyces cerevisiae? Genetics 168:35-48.

Hall A, Hall S, Keith K, Copenhaver GP, Preuss D (2004) The rapidly evolving field of plant centromeres. Curr Opin Plant Biol 7:108-114.

Copenhaver GP, Housworth E and Stahl FS. (2002) Crossover interference in Arabidopsis. Genetics 160:1631-1639.




				The Copenhaver lab is broadly interested in understanding how chromosomes function as well as the dynamic processes that influence them. To achieve this goal the lab uses the model flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. One research focus is the regulation of meiotic recombination at the genomic level. While significant progress has been made in understanding many of the molecular components of the recombination process in lower eukaryotes like the yeast S. cerevisiae, far less is known about similar functions in complex multicellular organisms. Because of the complexities of higher eukaryotic genomes such as extensive gene duplication, DNA modifications and the organization of multiple chromosomal domains into heterochromatin, the molecules that govern meiotic recombination in these organisms are likely to be novel and of significant biological interest. Additionally, their identification may have practical benefits, contributing to our understanding of human disease genes and providing useful tools for agricultural bioengineering. A second research focus is the role of centromere DNA in chromosome dynamics. Centromeres are the chromosomal domains that direct segregation during cell division by mediating a number of critical functions including: attachment of chromosomes to spindle microtubules, nucleation of kinetochore proteins, and maintenance of sister-chromatid cohesion. Arabidopsis centromeres are some of the best characterized among higher eukaryotes. Currently the efforts in the lab are focused on obtaining a complete definition of the DNA within the genetically defined centromeres of Arabidopsis. Selected Publications: Francis KE, Lam SY, Harrison BD, Bey AL, Berchowitz LE, Copenhaver GP.(2007) Pollen tetrad-based visual assay for meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104:3913-8. Francis KE, Lam SY, Copenhaver GP. (2006) Separation of Arabidopsis pollen tetrads is regulated by QUARTET1, a pectin methylesterase gene. Plant Physiol142:1004-13. Lam SY, Horn SR, Radford SJ, Housworth EA, Stahl FW, Copenhaver GP. (2005) Crossover interference on nucleolus organizing region-bearing chromosomes in Arabidopsis. Genetics 170:807-12. Stahl FW, Foss HM, Young LS, Borts R, Abdullah MFF and Copenhaver GP (2004) Does crossover interference count in Saccharomyces cerevisiae? Genetics 168:35-48. Hall A, Hall S, Keith K, Copenhaver GP, Preuss D (2004) The rapidly evolving field of plant centromeres. Curr Opin Plant Biol 7:108-114. Copenhaver GP, Housworth E and Stahl FS. (2002) Crossover interference in Arabidopsis. Genetics 160:1631-1639.
	contact information: [phone] (919) 843-4026 [email] [website]