Study of the genes involved in development of male and female reproductive structures in the gymnosperms Ginkgo biloba and Cycas

The research involves two species of gymnosperm, the group of plants that first evolved the seed as a structure for reproduction and the colonisation of new territories: Ginkgo biloba and Cycas revoluta. The study focuses on the genes involved in the male and female reproductive structures and the interaction between male pollen and female ovule for correct subsequent fertilisation and sperm development. The research has already shown how the arrival of pollen drives ovule development, making it ready for fertilisation and transformation into seed (D’Apice et al., 2021, New Phytol., 2353, D’Apice et al., 2022, Am. J. Bot., 887).