Articles tagged with Plant Genetics
A research team has pinpointed the genetic location behind thorns in blackberries, enabling plant breeders to accelerate the creation of thornless varieties. The study used genome-wide association studies and genotyping to identify a specific region of DNA associated with the prickly trait.
A recent study found that human activities negatively impact plant diversity over vast distances, with natural habitats containing only a fraction of potential species in heavily impacted regions. The DarkDivNet network analyzed 5,500 locations across the globe, revealing alarming effects on biodiversity.
New York University researchers developed a novel process using machine learning to reveal groups of genes governing nitrogen use efficiency in plants like corn. The study aims to help farmers improve crop yields and minimize fertilizer costs.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have discovered genes that can strengthen rice crops against environmental stresses such as heat, drought, and salinity. The study also identified a comprehensive framework for developing robust rice crops that can thrive in challenging environments.
Researchers uncover pivotal role of ZmCCT2 in regulating maize mesocotyl length and adapting to high altitudes. Significant associations between genetic variations and mesocotyl lengths were found, highlighting the essential function of ZmCCT2 in promoting cell elongation.
The Hong Kong Bauhinia Genome Project has completed a decade-long effort to sequence the DNA of Hong Kong's floral emblem, revealing 28 complete chromosomes and solving the species' parentage. The project's T2T genome assembly provides insights into genetic mechanisms underlying its vibrant blooms and ecological adaptability.
A new study published in Science reveals insights into the activity of genes inside different cell types in maize plants. The research, led by Alexandre Marand at the University of Michigan, sheds light on how molecular biology connects to a plant's visible traits, such as ear size and growth.
Researchers from Chiba University identified a previously unreported gene, LIRI1, which plays a crucial role in regulating the balance between starch and lipid storage in plant leaves. The study suggests that LIRI1 promotes carbon allocation by activating starch production and inhibiting starch degradation.
Researchers use a new pipeline to make genetically engineered plants with improved oil production, reducing labor and time in the process. The FAST-PB platform integrates automation and single-cell lipidomics to accelerate plant transformation.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University identified the CcMCA1 gene as a key player in the development of haustoria, structures that allow Cuscuta campestris to feed on host plants. Suppressing this gene expression can reduce the number of haustoria per centimeter, offering potential for controlling invasive plant species.
Researchers discovered that cruciferous plants like cabbage and wasabi repurpose stomatal genes for defense, producing pungent compounds that deter herbivores. FAMA regulates both gas exchange and myrosin cell production, a key trigger for this defense mechanism.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered five novel small molecules that can delay flowering in plants without heat treatment. These compounds, called devernalizers, reactivated the expression of a key gene suppressor of flowering, allowing for enhanced crop yield and resilience.
A team from the University of Illinois found that traditional breeding methods are unlikely to improve soybean light-harvesting efficiency. Gene editing is likely needed to unlock soybean potential. The researchers gathered detailed measurements throughout an entire growing season to understand photoprotection relaxation in soybeans.
Research suggests that flowering plants' tendency to reward pollinators with nectar is heritable and influenced by flower size and sugar content. Bees prefer honest flower genotypes, benefiting the plant through increased seed production.
Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.
Scientists at CSHL and global collaborators have sequenced complete genomes for the Solanum genus, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. The study reveals the importance of understanding paralog genes in predicting genome editing outcomes.
A new species of manzanita has been discovered on the central coast of California, but its survival is already at risk due to urban development. The species, Arctostaphylos nipumu, lacks a protective burl that allows some other manzanitas to resprout after wildfires.
Researchers discovered a gene cluster responsible for producing withanolides in ground-cherry plants, demonstrating epigenetic regulation of chemical defenses. The study provides insights into the production of diverse metabolites and potential development of alternative pesticides and therapeutics.
Grapevines rely on external signals to gain cold hardiness for winter and develop buds in the spring. Warmer autumns and false springs disrupt this process, making NY grape growers vulnerable to late frost damage. Planting diverse varieties is key to adapting to climate change.
A Stanford-led study reveals significant variations in corn varieties' water-seeking abilities, with tropical and subtropical varieties outperforming temperate ones. This finding holds potential for developing more resilient corn varieties to tackle climate change-induced droughts.
Researchers mapped yerba mate's genome, discovering an ancestor that duplicated its genome 50 million years ago. This event led to the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis in yerba mate and coffee through convergent pathways. The study provides opportunities for creating plant varieties with new characteristics.
Researchers have debuted the first comprehensive gene expression atlas of the plant periderm at the single-cell level, providing new insights into phellem cells and their role in carbon storage. The atlas could be used to stimulate growth of the protective periderm in plants facing environmental stress due to climate change.
A study by North Carolina State University reveals the global spread of powdery mildew fungus in blueberries, with a cost range of $47 million to $530 million annually to the industry. The disease is caused by the Erysiphe vaccinii fungus and has been found on multiple continents since its introduction in 2012.
Researchers from the University of Lausanne used genome editing to repair a deleterious domestication mutation in the tomato genome. This resulted in an earlier yielding variety, which could have implications for agriculture and sustainability. The study demonstrates the potential benefits of genome editing for crop breeding.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered plant cells enter an immune state to fight pathogens, using Primary IMmunE Responder (PRIMER) cells as hubs for the immune response. These cells are surrounded by bystander cells that enable long-distance cell-to-cell communication.
Researchers have discovered how a parasitic phytoplasma manipulates plant biology to attract female leafhoppers, boosting the parasite's own transmission and survival. The study reveals that the presence of male leafhoppers is crucial for attracting females, and that the parasite's effector protein SAP54 plays a key role in this process.
Researchers at UC Davis reveal a 40-million-year-old genetic mechanism controlling alternating sexes in walnuts, similar to human sex chromosomes. Two variants of a gene linked to flowering type balance each other, maintaining genetic variation and equilibrium.
A new study found that over half of weedy rice sampled in the southeastern US has become resistant to certain herbicides, including imidazolinone and a newer class of herbicides. The researchers also discovered that individual fields have distinct compositions of weedy rice strains, making management harder.
A genetic study of the beaked hazelnut reveals that ancient Indigenous peoples cultivated and traded this plant across British Columbia. The research challenges settler-colonial narratives by establishing a large-scale cultivation network dating back 7,000 years.
A team from the University of Illinois has engineered a potato crop that can thrive in elevated temperatures, resulting in a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation aims to improve food security for families dependent on potatoes, which are often affected by changing climate conditions.
Researchers found that a regulatory level change enabled C4 plants to photosynthesize more efficiently. By studying this shift, they believe it could be applied to make C3 crops like rice and wheat more resilient to climate change.
Plant biologists have identified two genes that work together to trigger embryo formation in rice egg cells, enabling the creation of high-yielding clonal strains. The method, which increases success rates to around 90%, has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and could provide a path forward for resource-limited farmers.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals the fundamental genetic pathways and biological mechanisms behind the corpse flower's heat production and odorous chemicals. The researchers identify a new component of the corpse flower's odor, an organic chemical called putrescine, which is released when the plant blooms.
Plant cells use a mechanism called telescripting to monitor and control protein production, preventing premature completion of gene expression. This process is crucial for maintaining accurate gene function and has potential applications in making plants more resistant to climate change.
The study reveals the genes that enable plants to make DMSP, allowing them to thrive in salty and drought conditions. This breakthrough could improve agricultural productivity in nitrogen-poor soils, making crops more sustainable in the face of global climate change.
Researchers found that plants use both DDM1 and RNAi to control chromosome division, providing a 'backup plan' when one molecule is lost. This discovery may lead to better treatments for human diseases such as ICF syndrome and cancer progression.
Plant biologists have mapped two paths that plants implement during elevated heat conditions to minimize heat damage. Carbon dioxide sensors play a central role in the stomatal warming-cooling responses, while a second heat response pathway bypasses normal photosynthesis-driven responses, leading to increased water use efficiency.
Researchers are developing soybeans that can handle extreme weather conditions, allowing farmers to maintain yields under pressure. By studying plant adaptation strategies, scientists aim to create more resilient soybean varieties.
Researchers found that new wheat cultivars achieve 16% higher yields under current climate conditions, but overall nitrogen needs will increase with global warming. The team recommends a systemic approach to food security, combining agricultural science, environmental aspects, and policy makers.
Researchers developed a model using gene activity to predict when Somei Yoshino cherry tree buds awake from dormancy. The study found that the breaking of endodormancy requires around 61 days with temperatures lower than 10.1°C, and climate change is delaying this process by 2.3 days per decade.
A $7M grant is supporting a four-year project to breed wide hybrids of muscadines and Vitis vinifera, combining desirable traits like disease resistance and crisp texture. The goal is to introduce new grape hybrids with enhanced quality leading to a more resilient US grape industry.
A recent study by University of York researchers investigated the factors influencing plant development, finding specific genetic changes control timing. Plants redirect nutrients from leaves to reproductive organs earlier than anticipated, suggesting potential for improving crop uniformity and nutritional value.
A study on wild tomato species reveals that a plant's vigor plays a significant role in its salt tolerance. The researchers found correlations between traits like transpiration rate, shoot mass, and ion accumulation with plant performance under salt stress.
Researchers discover a gene drive system, Teosinte Pollen Drive (TPD), that enables the quick transfer of traits from teosinte to maize. This finding sheds light on corn's rapid adaptation to the highlands and has significant implications for agriculture.
A team of scientists has found that the same ancient gene family is responsible for prickles in multiple plants, including roses and eggplants. This discovery sheds light on convergent evolution and could have implications for understanding how similar traits emerge in different species.
A new study by Salk scientists reveals a key gene that enhances plants' zinc tolerance, allowing them to thrive in toxic conditions. The discovery enables the development of crops more resilient to soil contamination, a major goal of Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative.
Researchers have used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to improve groundcherry's growth habit and fruit characteristics. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields and reduce the need for pesticides. The study also highlights the potential of groundcherry as a model species for studying plant biology.
Venkatesan Sundaresan has been awarded the 2024 Wolf Prize in Agriculture for his groundbreaking research on plant reproductive biology. His work enables the production of clonal seeds from hybrid plants, simplifying crop breeding and increasing yields.
Scientists have clarified how the DDM1 protein prevents 'jumping gene' transcription by making it accessible to suppressing chemical marks. This discovery has implications for understanding genetic conditions and developing new treatments for humans.
Researchers at University College Cork have discovered three new species of Theobroma sect. Herrania in the rainforests of South America, which are closely related to the cocoa tree. These findings could lead to the development of climate-resilient cacao trees, helping sustain chocolate production.
A new genetic regulator, known as Fixation Under Nitrate (FUN), has been identified in legume plants that reduces their ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nutrients. Removing the FUN gene allows legumes to fix nitrogen regardless of soil nitrate levels.
A new tool called TATSI enables efficient and accurate genome editing in plants, increasing the rate of targeted DNA integration by an order of magnitude. This technology has the potential to improve crop traits such as virus resistance and nutrient levels, addressing global challenges in agriculture.
Researchers developed a method to collect and plant genetically diverse red spruce seeds, resulting in higher establishment success and increased forest resilience. The approach pools multiple seed sources, increasing evolvability and minimizing deleterious mutations.
A decade-long study has discovered a vast untapped genetic potential in modern wheat varieties, revealing that at least 60% of the genetic diversity found in a historic collection is unused. This discovery provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve modern wheat and sustainably feed a growing global population. The study used a cr...
Researchers have identified 31 effector genes from the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, which causes devastating black rot in sweetpotatoes. This breakthrough provides a new approach to developing disease-resistant crops using effector-assisted breeding.
Researchers have identified a CpDWF5 gene mutation that leads to compact squash plants with enhanced salt stress tolerance. The discovery sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of plant height and resilience, paving the way for future crop breeding strategies.
A new Research Training Group will investigate the evolution of nuclear genomes in organisms using different forms of reproduction, including asexual and sexual reproduction. The group aims to better understand the dominance of sexual reproduction in nature through empirical analysis of changing and evolving genomes.
A new study found that genetically engineered canola plants with pesticide resistance are persisting in roadside populations, but may be losing their engineered genes. Almost a quarter of the feral plants were found to not contain transgenes.
Researchers have identified an ancient protein that partners with a modern plant enzyme to synthesize lignin, a key component of plant cell walls. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of plant protective mechanisms and their potential industrial applications.
Researchers have determined the molecular level function of free-forming structures in plant cells that help sense light and temperature, enabling plants to distinguish a range of different light intensities. The formation of these organelles is not random but is linked to specific locations within the cell, particularly near centromeres.