NewsWise – St. Louis, MO, March 5, 2025 – Under the leadership of a research team Andrea Eveland, PhDAssociate member Donald Danforth Plant Science CenterHas exposed the major genetic regulatory factors that control the pliotropy – an event where a single gene affects many symptoms. their studies, “Architectural pulmonary variation“Recently published in the magazine, Nature communicationNew lights on how to adapt to crop productivity to the genes controlling leaf angle and tassel branching in maize.
Pliotropy is a challenge for crop improvement because choosing for one beneficial feature can negatively affect another. In addition to the research team of Eveland, scientists from the University of Illinois, the University of Illinois, demonstrated the scientists of the University of California, Berkeley and North Carolina State University that Mecca Anga contributes to the early common gene network Leaf Angle and Potopy in Tassel Branching. By integrating developmental biology, statistical genetics and graph theory, they identified regulatory variations in these networks, which could potentially reduce these symptoms, which provide a new approach to fine-tuning crop architecture.
When the organ of a plant develops, a boundary layer of cells is formed between the differential organs and the pool of the stem cells. This process is correct regardless of the type of organ, so you can imagine that the normal set of genes is deployed to work in limbs during both leaf orgashesis and tasel branching, which contributes to plieotopy. Eveland and his team took advantage of this genetic system to investigate how such genes are modified in specific developmental contexts.
“There are some maize genes that when disturbing, dramatically affects both leaf and tesel folk,” Eveland said. “These genes are specifically regulated in early developmental programs, separating, pattering separate plant organs, we can achieve flexibility in crop improvement and optimize major symptoms independently.”
Following accurate breeding for high yields
In the last century, hybrid-based breeding has improved maize yields, which enables high planting density and more light penetration by selecting for compact plants with high leaves and low tassel branches. Future yield benefits, however, will require more accurate engineering of genome and regulatory routes. Aveland’s research targets gene regulator phenomena that occur quickly in plant growth – significant stages that determine the final plant architecture and productivity.
Another major result of the study has shown that biological data obtained from specific developmental contexts to suit the symptoms of interest can indicate the relevant of genetic markers for use in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic prediction models. Gwas are statistical analysis that connect genetic markers in genomes to some phenotypeic symptoms, ie, genotypes with phenotypes. Using several markers ensures that the genomic space is covered, but is computationally intensive and with large effects on the price of people with small impact sizes, the markers in the genetic Loki favor the markers associations, which are usually more agricultural relevant. Using the outlook of this biologically reported marker reduction, new genes were identified in Nexus between the leaf angle and regulation of the tassel branching.
A related study took advantage of the same biologically informed network graph to display increased prediction accuracy for these symptoms in genomic prediction models. This related work is Edordo Bertolini, under the leadership of PhD, research scientist at Danforth Center and Alexander E. LipkaPhD. Genetics, ,Genomic prediction of grain crop architectural symptoms using a model informed by gene regulator circuitry in maize“. This approach is, especially when combined with high-thrupoot, high-resolution field phenotyping, is potentially game-changing for breeders.
“One of the most exciting conclusions from this study was proof that the same class can make an accurate prediction of the leaf angle in both maize and sorbet,” Lipka said.
From research to real world influence
The work of Eveland was supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Award (iOS-1733606), which has contributed to 24 scientific publications to date. Nature communication The study is a major milestone in cooperative research between developmental geneticists, computational biologists and statistics.
“It was the culmination of years of interdisciplinary work,” said Elam. âBy integrating diverse expertise, we have gained invaluable insight into the gene network that regulate significant agricultural symptoms. The final goal is to translate these findings into better reproductive strategies that increase food security. ,
NSF grant also funded Genotype-to-phenotype authentic research experiences (are), The education research and outreach lab of Danforth Center was introduced. In the programs, the students of high school and community college in the St. Louis region (and beyond) are provided with experience on hand in the main areas of plant science from urban to rural schools, equipped with the skills required for a workforce that can promote modern agriculture.
About Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Established in 1998, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a non -profit research institute, with a mission to improve human condition through plant science. The Center’s research, education, and outreach efforts focus on food safety and environmental stability, which are in St. Louis region as a global leader in plant science. The Center is supported by funding from organizations such as National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, US Department of Energy, US Department of Agriculture, Gates Foundation and Liberal Personal and Corporates. For more information, go DanforthCenter.org,
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