Matthew Hufford • Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information:
Email: mbhufford@ucdavis.edu
Phone: (530) 752-8014
Plant Sciences Department
262 Robbins Hall, Mail Stop 4
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616



Current Projects:
Zea Centromere Evolution: As part of an NSF-funded project led by Kelly Dawe’s group we are currently investigating patterns of centromere evolution across several Zea taxa using transposon display and single nucleotide polymorphism data from centromeric and non-centromeric regions and sequence data from the genes encoding kinetochore proteins. These data will help clarify the manner in which centromeres, despite their essential function, have diverged so rapidly.



Pollen Flow in Natural Populations of Zea mays ssp. parviglumis: We have collected thousands of wild maize samples from a single population in central Jalisco state, Mexico, in order to assess patterns of mating system and pollen flow and how these correlate with landscape features. We have discovered a preponderance of short-distance pollen dispersal and evidence for inbreeding in low-density stands. These data suggest parviglumis could be particularly susceptible to habitat fragmentation.
Population Genetics of Zea mays ssp. mexicana: We are currently genotyping samples from several populations across the entire range of mexicana in order to assess demography and patterns of local adaptation, selection, and introgression with sympatric maize.





Publications:
Tenaillon, M.I., Hufford M.B., Gaut B.S., Ross-Ibarra J. 2011. Genome size and TE content as determined by high-throughput sequencing in maize and Zea luxurians. Genome Biology and Evolution. n Press

Hufford, M.B., P. Gepts, and J. Ross-Ibarra. 2011. Influence of cryptic population structure on observed mating patterns in the wild progenitor of maize (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis). Molecular Ecology 20: 46-55

Epanchin-Niell, R., M. B. Hufford, C. E. Aslan, J. P. Sexton, J. D. Port, and T. M. Waring. 2010. Controlling invasive species in complex social landscapes. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 8: 210-216

Gepts P., M. Hufford, K. Kraft. 2010. Domestication of plants. In: Encyclopedia of Geography (B. Warf, editor). SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA

Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Epanchin-Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. 2009. Practical challenges in private stewardship of rangeland ecosystems: yellow starthistle control in Sierra Nevadan foothills. Rangeland Ecology and Management 62: 28-37

Piñeyro-Nelson, A., J. van Heerwaarden, H. R. Perales, A. Serratos, A. Rangel, M. B. Hufford, P. Gepts, A. Garay-Arroyo, R. Rivera-Bustamante, and E. R. Álvarez-Buylla. 2009. Transgenes in Mexican maize: molecular evidence and methodological considerations for GMO detection in landrace populations. Molecular Ecology 18: 750-761

Zizumbo D., R. Papa , M. Hufford, S. Repinski , P. Gepts. 2009. Identification of new wild populations of Phaseolus vulgaris in western Jalisco. Annual Report of the Bean Improvement Cooperative 52: 24-25

Pasquet, R. S., A. Peltier, M. B. Hufford, E. Oudin, J. Saulnier, L. Paul, J. T. Knudsen, H.R. Herren, and P. Gepts. 2008. Long-distance pollen flow assessment through evaluation of pollinator foraging range suggests transgene escape distance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105(36): 13456-13461

Hufford, M. B. 2007. A regional approach to the control of widespread invasive species: weed-free zones as a collaborative strategy. Noxious Times 9: 10-11, 15

Hromas, R., M. Hufford, J. Sutton, D. W. Xu, X. X. Li, L. Lu. 1997. Plab, a novel placental bone morphogenetic protein. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Gene Structure and Expression, 1354: 40-44