(1) Evolutionary developmental of flowers
(2) Plastid genomes in non-photosynthetic plants
(3) Phylogenetic systematics

       Our lab has been doing three lines of studies, first is on the evolutionary developmental biology of flowers, second is on the plastid genome evolution in non-photosynthetic plants; and third is on phylogenetic systematics. 

(1) Evolutionary developmental of flowers.
We are interested in transference of function in floral organs, and the putative mechanism behind this phenomenon. In particular, we are interested in the molecular developmental study of petaloid structure in plants. The rationale is based on the study in Arabidopsis that the ectopic expression of petal identity genes in Arabidopsis has shown to be sufficient turning sepals or leaves into petal-like structures. However, we only find weak expression of some, but not all, of the identified B-class genes in the showy bracts of dogwoods (Cornus florida) or calycophylls of Mussaenda pubescens, suggesting a different mechanism existed for controlling the petaloid structure in various plants. This work is still ongoing and several other approaches have been employed to elucidate the mechanism of petaloid formation. We are also interested in the evolution of floral organ identity genes among basal core-eudicots, including Trochodendrales, Santalales, Saxifragaceae (s.s.), and Ranunculales. These plants show vast variations in floral structure and are keys to elucidate the perianth evolution in eudicots. We are examining a putative duplication event of floral organ identity genes among these lineages, as well as the expression patterns of these genes. 

(2) Plastid genomes in non-photosynthetic plants.
We have selected several non-photosynthetic plants, either parasitic or saprophytic, to examine presence of plastid genome, including Balanophora, Mitrastema, Cheilotheca, and etc. We are also interested to know if they still harbor other photosystem related genes in their nuclear genome. 

(3) Phylogenetic systematics.
Currently we are working on the phylogenies of Chrysosplenium (Saxifragaceae), Balanophoraceae, and Millettieae (Fabaceae). We are also interested in studies of principles and methods of phylogenetic reconstruction.

1. Su, H.-J. and J.-M. Hu*. Rate heterogeneity in six protein-coding genes from the holoparasite Balanophora (Balanophoraceae) and other Santalales taxa. Annals of Botany (in press)

2. Su, H.-J., J. Murata, and J.-M. Hu*. 2012. Morphology and phylogenetics of two holoparasitic plants, Balanophora japonica and Balanophora yakushimensis (Balanophoraceae), and their hosts in Taiwan and Japan. Journal of Plant Research 125: 317-326.

3. Pan, Z.-J., C.-C. Cheng, W.-C. Tsai, M.-C. Chung, W.-H. Chen, J.-M. Hu*, and H.-H. Chen*. 2011. The duplicated B-class MADS-box genes display dualistic characters in orchid floral organ identity and growth. Plant Cell Physiology 52: 1515-1531.

4. Wang, Y.-C. and J.-M. Hu*. 2011. Cryptic dioecy of Symplocos wikstroemiifolia Hayata (Symplocaceae) in Taiwan. Botanical Studies 52: 479-491.

5. Yang, W.-C., J.-M. Hu, and L.-S. Chou*. 2010. Phylogenetic analyses of MHC class II genes in bottlenose dolphins and their terrestrial relatives reveal pathogen-driven directional selection. Zoological Studies 49: 132-151.

6. Huang, J.-Y. and J.-M. Hu*. 2009. Revision of Rubus (Rosaceae) in Taiwan. Taiwania 54: 285-310.

7. Fu, H.-C., J.-M. Hu, T.-H. Hung, H.-J. Su, and H.-H. Yeh*. 2009. Unusual events involved in Banana bunchy top virus strain evolution. Phytopathology 99: 812-822.
8. Tseng, Y.-H., C.-F. Hsieh, and J.-M. Hu*. 2008. Incidences and ecological correlates of dioecious angiosperms in Taiwan and its outlying Orchid Island. Botanical Studies 49: 261-276.

9. Yang, W.-C., J.-M. Hu*, and L.-S. Chou*. 2008. Sequence variation of MHC Class II DQB gene in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from Taiwanese waters. Taiwania 53: 42-50.

10. Chang, C.-S., Y.-H. Li, L.-T. Chen, W.-C. Chen, W.-P. Hsieh, J. Shin, W.-N. Jane, S.-J. Chou, G. Choi, J.-M. Hu, S. Somerville, S.-H. Wu*. 2008. LZF1, a HY5-regulated transcriptional factor, functions in Arabidopsis de-etiolation. Plant Journal 54: 205-219.

11. Yang, W.-C., L.-S. Chou, and J.-M. Hu*. 2007. Molecular characterization of major histocompatibility complex class II DQB and DRB genes in bottleneck dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and T. aduncus) from the Western Pacific. Zoological Studies 46: 664-679.

12. Wu, H.-C., H.-J. Su, and J.-M. Hu*. 2007. The identification of A-, B-, C-, and E-class MADS-box genes and implications for perianth evolution in the basal eudicot Trochodendron aralioides (Trochodendraceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 168: 775-799.

13. Hu, J.-M.*, H.-C. Fu, C.-H. Lin, H.-J. Su, and H.-H. Yeh. 2007. Reassortment and concerted evolution in banana bunchy top virus genome. Journal of Virology 81: 1746-1761.