Dr. David Stelly's Laboratory

Welcome the Stelly Lab online

Civilization needs plants that are more productive, provide a higher quality product, can be produced and processed more economically and ecologically, and enhance our health. Our integrated research-teaching efforts yield new public methods, knowledge, resources, germplasm and scientists for genetic analysis and genetic improvement of plants. Located on the Texas A&M University campus, the Stelly Lab undertakes a diverse collection of research projects.

Our research addresses basic and practical needs related to plant reproductive genetics or biology, evolution, chromosome biology and cytogenetic manipulation, genomics, genetic barriers to introgression, or other processes that impact our ability to genetically analyze, manipulate and improve plants.Most of our research directly or indirectly involves cotton, a crop of immense importance to Texas, USA and the world.

Our many research themes include: apomixis, chromosome manipulations, genome evolution, transgene analysis, repetitive sequence analysis, cytogenomics, integrative genome mapping and FISH-based karyotyping, radiation hybrid mapping, development and analysis of new breeding methodologies, and interspecific germplasm introgression.

Our lab also serves the research community in three additional ways. We serve as the Laboratory for Plant Molecular Cytogenetics, a satellite component of the Institute for Plant Genomics & Biotechnology. We house the Cotton Cytogenetics Collection, for which it develops, curates and distributes cytogenetic stocks of Gossypium hirsutum (L.). Recently, we created DNA resources for distribution to genomics labs: first from cytogenetics stocks, and secondly from wide-cross whole-genome radiation hybrids (WWRHs). These resources will foster development cotton genomics world-wide. Graduate students complement their research experience with a coursework program that lends itself to professional careers in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences. While the balance and weight varies, most of our graduates exit with laboratory, greenhouse and field research skills. We thereby sow the seeds of the future by producing a diverse array of qualified scientists and educators.