Wj Peacock

Biography

Peacock's research has extended from cytogenetics to molecular biology. He made contributions to the understanding of chromosome structure, particularly through analysis of mitotic sister chromatid exchanges. A major contribution was the demonstration that crossing over occurred at pachytene of meiosis by breakage and reunion of DNA molecules of nonsister chromatids. In Drosophila he showed that meiotic drive involved haploid genotype-specifi disruption of spermiogenesis. Recently, his research has probed the control of gene expression in plant responses to environmental stresses, particularly anaerobiosis. His school of research isolated the first transposable element in maize, describing its critical DNA sequence features and the sequence changes which occur in both insertion and excision; has also contributed to an understanding of the molecular basis of the initiation of flowering.

Research Interest

Plant Molecular Biology, Crop Improvement