The researchers aimed to sequence and analyze glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes from Cyperus alternifolius and Schefflera actinophylla, two plants endemic to Puerto Rico. They cloned the GAPDH genes from each plant into E. coli bacteria and determined the DNA sequences. Bioinformatics analysis would allow comparison of the GAPDH sequences between the two plants and with other previously sequenced GAPDH genes, helping to understand evolutionary relationships and conserved protein regions. Preliminary results showed successful cloning and transformation of GAPDH genes from each plant species.