Articles tagged with Maize
Scientists have discovered a defense mechanism in certain plant species that were believed to be bred out of existence due to human selection. The study found that a specific enzyme and protein complex work together to defend against insect attacks, but their activity is suppressed in plants bred for desirable traits.
The study reveals a highly complex maize genome with approximately 59,000 genes, twice as many as the human genome. This complexity is due to positional instability and genetic history, allowing maize genes to move around the genome in a way not seen in other species.
The National Science Foundation has awarded 22 new projects for plant genome research, exploring the role of genetics in plant development, metal tolerance, and disease susceptibility. These projects will also develop genomic tools for crops such as loblolly pine and cotton.
Corn's genetic origins have been revised after a study found it arose from a serendipitously viable cross between teosinte and gamagrass. Eubanks' research confirms teosinte was an ancestor of corn, with gamagrass contributing key genes.
The Maize Genomics Consortium developed a cost-effective approach to sequence the maize genome, reducing its effective size by six-fold. The method uses methyl-filtration and high-Cot selection, targeting overlapping fractions of the genome enriched for genes.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective alternative to sequencing the entire genomes of complex plants by combining two gene-enrichment techniques. The new method provides about a four-fold reduction in sequencing necessary to find all maize genes, highlighting its potential for analyzing large and complex plant genomes.
Researchers identified 'dominance complementation' as a key factor in hybrid vigor, revealing that hybrids benefit from genes and regulatory factors beyond simple parent combinations. This discovery could lead to stronger, healthier, or more productive corn strains.
Rutgers University has been awarded $4.3 million by the NSF for the Maize Genome Sequencing Project, which aims to sequence the maize genome and understand its complex genetic structure. The project has the potential to improve crop yields and develop new approaches to genomic studies.
The study found limited genetic diversity in maize's starch pathway, making it harder to increase yields. To address this, researchers suggest incorporating genes from teosinte or using transgenics as alternative methods for improving crop diversity and productivity.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a $10.2 million project to sequence the maize genome, which is estimated to be 20 times larger than Arabidopsis. The project aims to develop tools for large-scale sequencing and improve genome mapping techniques.
A Cornell University study reveals that refugees who are desperate for salt, soap, and other essential supplies are more likely to sell or barter food. The poorest families were twice as likely to engage in these practices due to their limited access to nutritious food.