Author(s): Ruby Olpin
Mentor(s): Michael C. Rotter
Institution UVU
Model organisms are an important part of scientific discovery. The organisms help us better understand biological systems and genomes by allowing for concentrated study on one system. Plants have been no exception, many research laboratories throughout the United States have been studying model plants for decades such as thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana). Thale cress is native to Europe but these organisms have also been recorded outside of the greenhouses and laboratories to which they have been studied. Our project uses GIS and herbarium data to map records of A. thaliana and other model plant organisms to see if there is a correlation between the institutions researching the plants and areas where the organisms have been recorded. Understanding the relationship between invasions and “lab escapes” of plants will better allow us to make decisions when it comes to lab and greenhouse practices.