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How a fungus leads to tissue growths in maize

A University of Bonn study has shown how the fungus Ustilago maydis takes over the plant's lateral root formation function, leading to massive tissue growths that divert energy and resources from defense. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding more resistant varieties of maize.

Illinois study shows public seed banks can fast-track corn quality research

Researchers in Illinois used public genebanks and shared data to accelerate corn quality research, identifying genetic regions influencing kernel composition traits. By combining near-infrared spectroscopy and genomic data, the team found well-known and previously unreported genomic regions associated with key kernel composition traits.

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Corn’s ancient ancestors are calling

Researchers Rob Martienssen and Thomas Gingeras analyzed maize and teosinte genomes to identify regulatory regions controlling gene expression. They found hundreds of thousands of enhancers and super enhancers that were strongly selected during domestication 9,000 years ago.

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Analytic tool reveals more cream of the crops

The KAUST team developed an open-source platform to detect small DNA differences, revealing over 2 million previously overlooked genetic variants in rice and other crops. This tool will accelerate the discovery of genetic variations for developing crops with improved resilience and yield.

New study finds corn genome can gang up on multiple pathogens at once

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified genomic regions associated with resistance to four diseases in corn: Goss's wilt, gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and southern corn leaf blight. The study found that multiple genes working together can provide durable resistance against different pathogens.

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A mixed origin made maize successful

A new study published in Science reveals that modern maize originated from a hybrid of two teosintes created around 5000 years ago in central Mexico. The hybridization event led to the spread of maize across the Americas and later worldwide, becoming one of the world's most important crops.

Illinois study reveals genetic secrets of America's favorite snack

A new study from the University of Illinois reveals a wealth of untapped diversity in popcorn's genetic code, with over 308,000 variations across the genome. The research may help improve the agronomic performance of the crop and uncover its long history of movement across North America.

Refining surge protector in crops could boost yields

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified new genes that regulate the surge protector in plants, which can help increase photosynthesis efficiency and boost corn yields. The discovery could lead to breeding plants better equipped to capitalize on yield-boosting sunlight.

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Illinois project takes on quantitative disease resistance in corn

Quantitative disease resistance is a promising approach to combat plant diseases, which cause an estimated 13% loss of global crop yields annually. Researchers aim to identify disease resistance mechanisms for important corn diseases and develop genetic resources for the broader maize genetics community.

The secret history of corn is revealed in its genome

A new collection of corn genomes provides a detailed understanding of the genetic diversity and adaptability of corn plants. Researchers have mapped the first corn genome in 2009 and filled in gaps since, revealing how the corn genome was shuffled over time.

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European maize highlights the hidden differences within a species

A recent study published in Nature Genetics has shed light on the genetic diversity of European flint maize, revealing distinct differences between lines. The research highlights the importance of sequencing the entire pangenome of a species to fully understand its genetics.

European and American maize: Same same, but different

Researchers have decoded the European maize genome, revealing significant differences in genetic content and genome structure compared to North American lines. These findings suggest that heterosis, a phenomenon increasing crop yields, may be influenced by variations in knob regions and gene regulation.

Researchers clear the path for 'designer' plants

Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified gene regulatory elements that can help produce 'designer' plants, which could lead to improvements in food crops. The team's findings suggest that targeting these elements for editing offers a more refined tool than editing genes.

Tracking down the jumping genes of maize

Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have mapped the 'jumping genes' of maize, identifying transposable elements that regulate gene expression and impact plant traits. The new genome sequence enables a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between these elements and the diversity of the genome.

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Maize genome 'dark matter' discovery a boon for breeders

Researchers at Cornell University and Florida State University identified a tiny percentage of regulatory DNA in the maize genome that accounts for roughly half of the variation in observable traits found in corn. This discovery enables breeders to focus on these areas for more efficient plant breeding.

FSU-Cornell team defines meaningful part of maize genome

A small portion of the maize genome holds vast amounts of information controlling traits like plant size and stress response. This discovery could greatly accelerate crop improvement by allowing researchers to pinpoint specific genetic changes.

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Mapping the maize genome

Researchers have developed a detailed positional cloning protocol to locate genes within the large and complex maize genome. This technique allows for the identification of genetic markers linked to specific traits, enabling precise localization of candidate regions until the gene is identified.

A-maize-ing double life of a genome

Researchers captured a genetic snapshot of maize 10 million years ago and traced how it used copied genes to cope with domestication pressures. These gene copies played a vital role in optimizing photosynthesis in maize leaves.

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Scientists complete most comprehensive genetic analysis yet of corn

An interdisciplinary team has completed the most comprehensive genetic analysis of corn, shedding light on its genetic diversity and evolution. The study provides a foundation for developing improved varieties equipped to resist pests and disease, addressing global food security challenges.

Technique allows researchers to identify key maize genes for increased yield

Scientists at Cornell University have identified the genes related to leaf angle in corn, a key trait for closer planting, leading to an eight-fold increase in yield since the early 1900s. The study used a genomewide association study method to analyze genetic variation across the maize genome and predict traits with high accuracy.

Amaizing: Corn genome decoded

The completed corn genome, published in Science, contains 32,000 genes and will aid in breeding high-yield crops. The sequence, a significant achievement after years of research, offers insights into plant genetics and opens new avenues for crop improvement.

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PLoS Genetics 2009 maize genome collection

The PLoS Genetics special collection presents groundbreaking research on maize genome architecture, revealing new insights into centromeres, transposons, microRNAs, and more. The studies also explore the role of copy number variation and presence/absence variation in shaping maize phenotypes.

Sweet corn story begins in UW-Madison lab

The maize genome is a complex sequence of DNA that has been analyzed using a unique optical mapping facility at UW-Madison. The research advances knowledge of corn's ancestry and guides breeders in extracting increased productivity from the crop.

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Scientists at UA, collaborating institutions decode maize genome

Researchers from UA and collaborating institutions deciphered the complete genetic code of maize, providing a comprehensive foundation to systematically study maize biology. The achievement aims to breed higher yielding, disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant cultivars.

Ancient Mexican maize varieties

Scientists are sequencing ancient maize landraces to recapture the full genetic diversity of this complex crop. The Palomero genome is about 22% smaller than B73, revealing a large pool of unexplored genetic diversity.

Iowa State researchers help piece together the corn genome's first draft

Researchers at Iowa State University contributed to the draft sequence of the corn genome, providing valuable data for plant scientists to improve crops. The genome's complexity, with 2.5 billion base pairs and repetitive code, was overcome using advanced software technology, enabling faster assembly and analysis.

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Washington University unveils draft sequence of corn genome

The completed draft sequence of the corn genome will enable researchers to accurately and efficiently probe the genetic blueprint for the corn plant. Scientists can now look for ways to improve breeding, increase crop yields, and resistance to drought and disease.

National Academy of Sciences elects 2 Rutgers professors

Two Rutgers professors, Hugo Dooner and Paul Falkowski, have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for their pioneering work in plant genetics and biological oceanography. Their research has significantly advanced our understanding of genome adaptability and the evolution of biogeochemical cycles.

NSF awards UGA $4.1 million grant to study so-called 'jumping genes' in maize

The University of Georgia has been awarded a $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate transposable elements in maize, which are believed to contribute significantly to gene and genome evolution. The project aims to create an annotated database that will aid future research on this crop plant.

Genome archaeology illuminates the genetic engineering debate

The study reveals that plant genomes evolved from a far more dynamic structure than previously believed, with genes being lost, replicated or shifted over time. This challenges the notion of biotechnologists performing 'unnatural acts' when inserting genes into crops.

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University of Arizona/BIO5 plant scientists to unravel maize genome

The University of Arizona and BIO5 Institute have received a $29 million federal grant to sequence the maize genome, enabling faster improvement of agronomically important traits in cereal crops. The goal is to unravel the complete DNA sequence of the maize plant and determine its genetic makeup.

International research team announces finished rice genome

The completed rice genome provides a roadmap for agricultural researchers to develop new varieties of rice with increased yields and resistance to disease. With its finished sequence, scientists can identify genes responsible for fundamental processes such as flowering and disease resistance.

K-State part of effort to completely sequence common wheat genome

Researchers at K-State are contributing to the effort to sequence the common wheat genome, a significant step towards understanding its genetic traits. The goal is to determine the exact sequence of DNA that controls wheat's characteristics, allowing for more efficient and sustainable food production.

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Scientists discover way to streamline analysis of maize genome

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.

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NSF funds $10.2m maize gene sequencing push

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.