Christine M Fleet

Professor of Biology Biology

I am interested in plant molecular genetics as related to physiology and development. That is, which genes and hormones make plants grow the way they do and respond to the environment the way they do? What mechanisms regulate those genes and hormones?

Much of my work focuses on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition, I work with orchid flower development.

My work involves basic Mendelian cross-pollination experiments, studies of plant development, microscopy, and genomics, and makes use of campus technology including quantitative PCR.

I am also active in STEM outreach.

Education

Duke University, Durham, NC
Ph.D., Cell and Molecular Biology, 2003
Tufts University, Boston, MA
B.S., Biology, 1996

Teaching

BIOL100/ CHEM 100 Introduction to Biology and Chemistry

BIOL 117 General Biology

BIOL 300 Genetics

BIOL 307 Junior Seminar

BIOL 425 General Physiology

BIOL 430 Biochemistry

Research

On-going research includes the following areas:

Analysis of genetic control of floral development in orchids
Phenotype characterization of MIPS2 mutants in Arabidopsis (in collaboration with Dr. Glenda Gillaspy of Virginia Tech)

Student Research:

All of the above described projects have included student participation and / or offer opportunities for future student participation. Below are examples of student presentations based on this research.

Stowers. K.† and Fleet, C.M. The Effects of Nicotine on the Expression of CHRNA3 in Correlation to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Ampersand Day showcase presentation. (2018)
Fleet, C.M., Yen, J.Y., Hill, E.A.† and Gillaspy, G.E. 2018. Co-suppression of AtMIPS demonstrates cooperation of MIPS1, MIPS2 and MIPS3 in maintaining myo-inositol synthesis. Plant Molecular Biology. 97: 253-263.
Smith, K. and Fleet, C.M. Growth comparison between Bt and conventional field corn. Southern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists. Orlando, FL (2017)
Dean, L. and Fleet, CM. Quantifying Sepallata Gene Expression in Column; Anther Cap, Viscidium, and Pollinium; Platform, and Lip and Labellum of Phalaenopsis. Association for Southeastern Biologists. Montgomery, AL (2017)
Whiteside, T. † and Fleet, C.M. Understanding the FIS genes’ effect on the gibberellic acid pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Association for Southeastern Biology, Asheville, NC (2010)
Abstract published in the July 2010 Southeastern Biology.
Hai, Xueying Sydney. † Hox gene regulation in gibberellin biosynthesis on a molecular level. Beta Beta Beta regional meeting/ Association for Southeastern Biology, Asheville, NC (2010)
Abstract published in the July 2010 Southeastern Biology.
† undergraduate co-author