The CapituLab
(Jones Lab)
Floral Development & Stem Cell Biology
In our lab, we study how plants develop and how novel plant forms arise.
Plant development begins in meristems, specialized tissues that contain stem cells. When stem cells divide, they produce cells that differentiate to make up the plant's organs (leaves, stems, roots, and flowers) as well as cells that maintain stem cell identity. This cycle is repeated when these daughter stem cells divide. This form of "stem cell maintenance" is found across all plants and is required to regulate growth throughout a plant’s life.
The sunflower family (Asteraceae) is the largest plant family with ~32,000 species. Its success has been attributed to the evolution of the capitulum, a compact inflorescence that appears and functions as a solitary flower but is comprised of many individual florets. The primary focus of our lab is on understanding how key changes in developmental programs (specifically those regulating stem cell maintenance) have contributed to the evolution of the Asteraceae capitulum.
CapituLab - News
Spring 2024
Sarita attended the regional ComSciCon Meeting in Atlanta and brought back invaluable insight on how to give effective scientific presentations!
Undergraduate Researchers Ashlyn Bazzel and Taylor Van Kralingen have started in the lab!
Erika presented her Bidens research at PAG in San Diego!
Fall 2023
Undergraduate Rhianna Cooley started doing graphic design work with Sarita
Daniel went on parental leave to welcome his daughter Addie Mae to the world!
Erika Lesperance and Reid Selby both started Graduate School in the lab
New Graduate Student Sarita Munoz-Gomez joined the lab (Welcome) - August 2023
Summer 2023
We hosted our first collaborator meeting for our capitulum evolution and development project. Three labs: Mandel (Memphis), Burke (UGA) and the CapituLab spent two days chatting science and making plans to get things off the ground
Dr. Vandana Gurung started in the CapituLab as a Postdoc (Welcome) - July 2023
Brannan, Evie and Reid all went to Boise, Idaho for the Botany Meeting. They presented three posters and tore up the dance floor!
Spring 2023
Undergraduate Researchers Erika Lesperance and Riley Schuld graduated!
Undergraduate Researchers Madeline Gwin and Evie Moellering have started in the lab
Fall 2022
Welcome to Guillian Hernández Casanova, PhD student working in both the CapituLab and the Leisner Labs here at Auburn
Summer 2022
Daniel, Brannan and Reid all went to Anchorage, Alaska for the Botany Meeting
Spring 2022
Welcome to The CapituLab's first graduate student Brannan Cliver
Undergraduate Researchers Riley Schuld and Erika Lesperance have started in the lab
Daniel, Brannan and Reid all went to Southern Section - ASPB and presented our lab's first poster
Fall 2021
The Jones Lab @ Auburn University has officially opened - August 2021
Excited to welcome Reid Selby to The CapituLab
CapituLab Photo Album
CapituLab Greenhouse is popping! Spring 2024
Finally took the lab out bowling! Spring 2024
CapituLab Birthday Card made by Sarita! Fall 2023
First PGRP Collaborator Meeting/Dinner Summer 2023
CapituLab Lab Retreat 2023
CapituLab Spring 2023
Congrats to Erika For winning Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award! Spring 2023
CapituLab Members - circa Spring 2022
Daniel, Brannan and Reid at Botany 2022!
At Botany 2022 in Hawaiian shirts