| Oberlin College Biology Department | |
Mike MooreAssistant Professor of BiologyScience Center K111 (440) 775-6876 Ph.D. University of Texas, 2005 M.S. University of Illinois, 1999 B.S. College of William and Mary, 1995 |
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Research Specialty: Plant Systematics
My research lies within the field of plant systematics—the study of plant evolutionary diversity. I am interested in exploring various problems in flowering plant evolution through a molecular 
phylogenetic approach. In other words, I generate DNA sequence data for various gene regions and then utilize this information to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships among the species in a particular plant group of interest. Once these phylogenetic relationships are established (they are usually depicted as a bifurcating “tree”—see right), it is possible to use this information to address important evolutionary questions, such as when did a particular trait first appear within a given group, and did this trait evolve once or multiple times? Systematists can also use phylogenetic information as the basis to infer the geological ages of particular plant groups, to study the molecular evolution of a particular gene or protein, and to examine the biogeographic history of a particular plant group, to name but a few applications of systematic methods.
As you can see, systematics is a broad field, incorporating techniques and ideas from such diverse branches of biology as evolutionary biology, anatomy, ecology, molecular biology, biogeography, and bioinformatics. Consequently, systematists have the opportunity to do fieldwork, labwork, and computational work. Many exciting research opportunities await the motivated student!
Currently, my research focuses on two broad areas:
(1) The Origins and Biogeography of Gypsophily in the Chihuahuan Desert
To learn more about my research on gypsophily, click here or on the image below:
(2) Plastid Genome Evolution and Flowering Plant Phylogenetics
To learn more about my plastid genome research, click here or on the image:
Recent Publications:
Jian, S., P. S. Soltis, M. A. Gitzendanner, M. J. Moore, R. Li, T. A. Hendry, Y.-L. Qiu, A. Dhingra, C. D. Bell, and D. E. Soltis. In press. Resolving an ancient, rapid radiation in Saxifragales. Systematic Biology. [HTML] [PDF]
Moore, M. J., C. D. Bell, P. S. Soltis, and D. E. Soltis. 2007. Using plastid genome-scale data to resolve enigmatic relationships among basal angiosperms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104(49): 19363-19368. [HTML] [PDF]
Moore, M. J., and R. K. Jansen. 2007. Origins and biogeography of gypsophily in the Chihuahuan Desert plant group Tiquilia subg. Eddya (Boraginaceae). Systematic Botany 32(2): 392-414. [PDF]
Moore, M. J., A. Dhingra, P. S. Soltis, R. Shaw, W. G. Farmerie, K. M. Folta, and D. E. Soltis. 2006. Rapid and accurate pyrosequencing of angiosperm plastid genomes. BMC Plant Biology 6: 17. [HTML] [PDF]
Moore, M. J., A. Tye, and R. K. Jansen. 2006. Patterns of long-distance dispersal in Tiquilia subg. Tiquilia (Boraginaceae): implications for the origins of amphitropical disjuncts and Galápagos Islands endemics. American Journal of Botany 93(8): 1163-1177. [HTML] [PDF]
Moore, M. J., and R. K. Jansen. 2006. Molecular evidence for the age, origin, and evolutionary history of the American desert plant genus Tiquilia (Boraginaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39(3): 668-687. [HTML] [PDF]
Teaching
If you are interested in learning more about plant diversity and/or about the systematic and phylogenetic methods we use to understand organismal diversity, you might consider taking my Spring semester class, Vascular Plant Systematics (BIOL 227). Although the focus of the course is on flowering plants, the concepts and methods that students learn are applicable to most organisms. We cover a wide range of topics, including morphology, taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogenetic methods and theory, biogeography, speciation, hybridization, and character evolution. The lab portion of the course involves significant field and lab components. During the first part of the semester we focus on the techniques used in systematic studies, in particular those having to do with molecular phylogenetics. Students complete a project that is designed to take them through much of the process of a phylogenetic study, including both labwork (DNA isolation, PCR, DNA sequencing) and computer work (sequence editing and alignment, as well as the different methods of phylogenetic analysis). We also spend some hands-on time learning about the phylogenetic diversity of plants. Once the long Oberlin winter breaks, we head outside and learn more about plant diversity, including important plants of the Ohio flora.
I also teach a First-Year Seminar in the Fall called “The Sixth Extinction: Problems and Prospects in Biodiversity Conservation” (FYSP 194). In this course we explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the conservation of biodiversity using readings from a wide variety of sources. Among the topics we discuss are the value of biodiversity, the impacts of legislation and private property on biodiversity, the ramifications of ethical dilemmas in conservation management, the feasibility of saving species and restoring degraded habitat, and ways to encourage participation in biodiversity conservation. We also go on several weekend afternoon field trips to sites of local conservation interest. Some of the places we have visited in the past include Castalia Prairie (the best remaining example of tallgrass prairie in Ohio), Edison Woods (the largest remaining forest in northern Ohio), and NASA Plum Brook Station (which contains around 6000 acres of actively managed forest, prairie, and savanna).
Beginning in the Fall of 2008 I will be lecturing in BIOL 101 (formerly BIOL 118), which is the introductory course in the core sequence for Biology majors. I will, of course, be covering the plant-related portions of the course, while Ms. Yolanda Cruz will cover the animal-related parts.
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Last updated on November 30, 2007
All images are the copyright of Michael J. Moore