Carlos F. Quiros

Professor and Geneticist 116 Asmundson 530 752-173 Fax: 530 752-9659 email: Lab web page

Education

BS-Universidad Nacional Agraria, Lima-Peru Ag. Sciences, 1968
MS-University of New Hampshire, Plant Science, 1972
PhD-University of California Davis, Genetics, 1975

Professional Experience

Geneticist Ins. Nacional de Investigaciones Agricolas, Celaya, Mexico, 1976-77
Postdoctoral Fellow, U. of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, 1977-78
Research Associate, U. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, 1978-81
Associate Scientist, International Plant Res. Inst., San Carlos, CA, 1981-83
Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis, 1983
Associate Professor, University of California Davis,
Professor, University of California, Davis,
Honors, Visting Professor, University of Perpignan, France, 1987
Fullbright Fellow, University of Perpignan, France, 1990
Editor for Plant Cell Reports, 1987-present
Editor for the American Soc. Hortic. Sci. Journal, 1991-95
Recognition Plaque from California Celery Res. Adv. Board, 1994

Research

1) Comparative genomics, structure and evolution of the Brassica genomes. The existence of three diploid cultivated species, B. nigra (n=8, B genome), B. oleracea (n=9, C genome), B. rapa (syn.campestris, n=10, A genome) with different genomic numbers and derived cultivated allotetraploids (B. napus, AACC; B. carinata, BBCC; B. juncea, AABB) makes the study of this group very attractive. We have used DNA-based markers to determine loci organization on the genomes and the extent of chromosomal rearrangement which occurred during the evolution of these species. We are now using well characterized gene complexes of known physical size from the related crucifer and model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . Their sequences are being followed in the Brassica genomes to determine their organization and compare micro-colinearity among genomes. Our studies have demonstrated that the Brassica genomes are highly duplicated, indicating that the basic diploid species are actually secondary polyploids. The duplicated chromosome segments, however, form part of different syntenic groups in the A, B and C genomes, as result of extensive chromosomal rearrangements.Conserved chromosome segments among the A, B and C genomes demonstrate that they are related to each other, but have undergone extensive divergence. We conclude that the A,B and C genomes are complex genomes originating by hybridization followed by cyclic of amphiploidy from ancestral genomes of 4 to 5 founder chromosomes. In addition there has been a strong influx of translocations, transposition, aneuploidy and homoeologous recombination reshaping these genomes further. The second cycle of amphiploidy have originated the present cultivated alloteraploids B. napus, B. juncea and B. carinata . A model for the evolution of the Brassica genomes is shown in Fig .1. We have applied these markers to map one of the main genes determining linolenic acid content in B. napus.

2) Celery Breeding and Genetics: Our celery breeding and genetics program supported by the California Celery Research Advisory Board. It is focused on the development of Fusarium resistant lines. Our main contribution has been the release of a new fusarium resistant variety, ‘Promise'. We are now in the process of developing nad testing experimental Fusarium resistant F1 hybrids. We are also developing Septoria and leaf miner resistant lines which cause problems of importance in California. In addition to our breeding program, we have a basic research celery project aimed to the development of molecular markers and their application to tag genes of interest such as the fusarium resistance gene Fu and male sterility.

Teaching

VC221: Genomics and Vegetable Breeding. VC221 covers the latest advancements in genomics and mapping of each of the major vegetable crops and its application to breeding problems, emphasizing tomatoes, potatoes and cole crops.

BioSci 101, "Genetics and Gene Expression" Course in general genetics covering classical and molecular genetics which is a high enrollment undergraduate course.

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