The Hasebe laboratory (since 1997)
All living organisms evolved from a common ancestor that lived more than 3.5 billion years ago, and the accumulation of mutations in their genomes has resulted in the present biodiversity. Traces of the evolutionary process are found in the genomes of extant organisms. By comparing the gene sequences and gene networks of different organisms, we can infer (1) the phylogenetic relationships of extant organisms and (2) the genetic changes that caused the evolution of development and morphology. The inferred phylogenetic relationships provide important insights into problems in various fields of evolutionary biology. Our group focuses on biogeography, the evolution of morphological traits, and systematics in a wide range of taxa. Concerning the evolution of morphology and development, we hope to explore the genetic changes that led to the evolution of the plant body plan. We have selected Arabidopsis (angiosperm), Gnetum (gymnosperm), Ginkgo (gymnosperm), Ceratopteris (pteridophyte), Physcomitrella (bryophyte), and some green algae as models to compare the functions of genes involved in the development of both reproductive and vegetative organs in land plants.
4. PHYSCObase (public database on the moss Physcomitrella patens)
5. Meeting Web page
b.MOSS 2001: An international meeting on moss biology (May 27-29, 2001 in Okazaki)
c.Evolution and Development (March 21-23, 2000 in Okazaki)