Articles tagged with Plant Genomes
A recent study has identified the Greek wild crocus species C. cartwrightianus as the sole progenitor of modern saffron, revealing its origins in Attica. This breakthrough could enable plant breeders to create new saffron genotypes with increased genetic diversity.
Scientists at UC Davis and USDA's ARS developed a new approach to sequence walnut genomes, using long-read DNA sequencing and optical genome mapping. The resulting high-quality genome sequences can help breeders develop disease-resistant varieties.
Researchers discovered drug-resistant E. faecium in untreated and treated wastewater from hospital sewage recipients, highlighting genetic relatedness to human disease-causing strains. Terminal ultraviolet light disinfection may reduce environmental contamination with these pathogens.
Researchers have found that different segments of a virus genome can exist in distinct cells but still cause an infection, contradicting a long-held model. The study, published in eLife, used fluorescent probes to detect viral segments in individual cells and found that distinct segments are often found in different cells.
Scientists uncover that saffron crocus is a hybrid of wild Crocus cartwrightianus cytotypes, resolving centuries-long debate. Genome sequencing and comparative analysis reveal fusion of two individual genomes, confirming the plant's autotriploid nature.
Researchers have developed an RNA-guided endonuclease - in situ labelling (RGEN-ISL) method that preserves chromatin intact and allows real-time visualization of DNA-labelling. This new tool outperforms conventional methods, enabling investigation of genome structure and function.
The Boyce Thompson Institute has developed a new Plant Genome Editing Database (PGED) to manage and share plant mutant data, reducing duplicate experiments and catalyzing collaborations among researchers. The database currently contains over 432 tomato lines edited with CRISPR/Cas.
Researchers discovered that paper mulberry tree evolved complex flavonoids to attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria, promoting healthy growth. This symbiosis has led to the development of high-quality feedstock, medicine, and food products.
Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the cultivated strawberry genome, providing a genetic roadmap for more precise selection of desired traits. This will help breeders grow strawberries that are resistant to diseases and meet consumer demands for quality.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technique that uses carbon nanotubes to deliver genes into plant cells, allowing for non-GMO modifications. The method is highly successful and can be used for gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9, enabling the creation of disease- or drought-resistant crops.
Researchers from China's National GeneBank and BGI sequenced 761 plant specimens, representing 689 vascular plant species, to create the world's first digital botanical garden. The project triples the number of plant genomes with available data, providing insights into plant evolution and agricultural yield improvement.
A recent study by Doyle and Coate explores the mechanisms of polyploidy in plants, highlighting its impact on cell biology and evolutionary novelty. The authors found that genome doubling can alter cell size, nuclear volume, and cell cycle duration, with many effects attributed to changes in bulk DNA amount.
A new high-throughput sequencing technique enables quick diagnosis of viruses like Ebola and Zika in the field, avoiding sample transfer. The technology has been validated in plant virology, paving the way for real-time detection of chronic or emerging plant viruses.
Researchers sequenced and analyzed the plastid genomes of two species of Balanophora, a fully parasitic mushroom-like plant, revealing a nontraditional genetic code. The discovery includes a novel stop codon TAG that encodes tryptophan, and most genes involved in protein synthesis reside outside the traditional plastid genome.
Researchers at University of East Anglia have successfully sequenced the common primrose's complete genome sequence, revealing the landscape of genes involved in its two different flowering forms. This breakthrough provides fresh insight into a puzzle that has captivated scientists for over 150 years.
Researchers created a cannabis chromosome map, detailing gene arrangement on chromosomes, published in Genome Research. The study reveals ancient colonization by viruses, which influenced the production of THC and CBD, lesser-known cannabinoids.
A comparative analysis of eight Pezizomycete fungi reveals that truffle-forming species have evolved independently due to symbiotic relationships with host plants. The study also highlights the importance of underground networks in shaping these ecosystems and impacting global carbon cycling.
A world collection of over 22,000 barley varieties has been characterised at the molecular level, enabling effective use of genebank collections in research and breeding. The dataset guides the identification of duplicate samples and provides insights into global barley diversity.
A UBC team has sequenced the complete genome of lavender, opening doors for further research and analysis. The draft genome helps identify genes directing essential oil production and regulatory elements controlling its expression.
The complete sugarcane genome sequence reveals insights into the crop's evolutionary history and potential for disease resistance. The sequence data also led to the discovery of genes involved in stress tolerance and improved breeding methods.
Researchers at UT Institute of Agriculture will modify potato plants to detect and report potential threats such as nerve agents, radiation, and plant pathogens. The goal is to innovate a new sensor platform that can help protect deployed troops and civilians in post-conflict settings.
Researchers use CRISPR to tame the wild groundcherry, increasing fruit size and weight, and reducing weed growth habit. The modified plant also exhibits fewer instances of fruit drop, addressing food safety concerns.
The kiwifruit's ancestors duplicated their DNA in two events to produce extra copies of genes, including those for creating and recycling vitamin C. This allowed the fruit to thrive with increased vitamin C production.
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully cloned grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, a breakthrough that could lead to new strategies controlling the disease. The discovery opens the door for experiments and treatments to protect valuable vineyards from the devastating disease.
Researchers have determined the DNA code of the opium poppy genome, unlocking key steps in how the plant evolved to produce vital medicines. The discovery may lead to improved yields and disease resistance, securing a reliable supply of effective pain relief medications.
The opium poppy's genome has been sequenced to understand its pain-relieving properties, with a notable whole-genome duplication event occurring around 7.8 million years ago.
Researchers assembled a high-quality soybean genome from an Asian accession, revealing large genetic variations and improving functional genomics study. The new genome enables the identification of important agronomic genes and facilitation of crop improvement.
An international collaboration sequenced and analyzed the genome of Chara braunii, a freshwater green alga closely related to land plants. The study identified key genes that originated in a common ancestor shared by Chara and land plants, revealing that some important plant functions evolved before land plants existed.
The sugarcane genome has been sequenced using a novel method that leverages colinearity with the sorghum genome, enabling molecular screening techniques for breeding and biomass production. The reference sequence obtained is of high quality, revolutionizing genomic and genetic approaches for sugarcane species.
Scientists sequenced the dodder genome, shedding light on the evolution of plant parasitism. The study found significant gene losses, including those related to photosynthesis and flowering time control, which underlie the parasite's unique body plan.
A team of scientists has discovered a critical plant gene that deviates from its anticipated function to regulate lignin production. The gene, which produces an amino acid, was found to enter the nucleus and act as a DNA-binding regulator of gene expression.
A comparative study of 37 plant genomes reveals that the capacity to form root-nodule partnerships has repeatedly been lost during evolution. Despite providing fixed nitrogen, these symbioses no longer benefit many plants due to parasitic bacteria invasion or other factors.
Rothamsted Research will conduct a field trial of genome-edited (GE) Camelina, a genetically modified crop that accumulates omega-3 fatty acids, alongside a traditional GM version. The trials aim to investigate the efficiency of genetic engineering in developing plants with desired traits, such as improved nutrition and sustainability.
Researchers sequenced bittersweet plastid genome to correct errors in genetic databases, placing it as a model for nightshade chloroplast comparative genomics. The study also presented a new hypothesis of the ancestral genome, showing structural re-arrangements coinciding with bigger evolutionary changes.
A team of biologists and computer scientists have developed a time-based machine-learning approach to understand the temporal logic of nitrogen signaling in plants. This discovery has significant implications for global food production and sustainable agriculture by potentially offering new ways to monitor and enhance crop growth using...
Researchers in China have engineered a Chinese shrub to produce high levels of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound. The study's findings provide new insights into the metabolic pathway involved in artemisinin biosynthesis and offer a potential solution to address global malaria-related deaths.
New sequencing technologies and image analysis techniques enable novel solutions to phylogenetics challenges, providing insights into plant genomes and evolution. The special issue highlights cutting-edge approaches for exploring the plant family tree.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are working on a $1 million grant to develop new, regionally adapted Miscanthus x giganteus ('Illinois') cultivars that can thrive in various climates. The team aims to create faster breeding cycles and better-adapted biomass crops using genomic selection tools.
New research reveals an extreme lack of genetic diversity in domestic chickpeas, threatening their adaptability to climate change. However, the study also identified wild relatives with promising traits such as drought-resistance and resistance to insect pests.
Several Berkeley Lab scientists will present talks on various topics, including sequence-based approaches to plant microbiomes, new ways to search for dark matter, and developments in advanced bioenergy. The presentations aim to advance our understanding of quantum materials and their potential applications, as well as the scientific p...
Researchers found that flowering plants' small cell size is made possible by a greatly reduced genome size, allowing for faster rates of water transport and carbon dioxide uptake. This discovery explains the rapid spread of flowering plants across the globe and their unparalleled success in ecosystems.
Researchers have created a plant pan-genome using Brachypodium distachyon, revealing nearly twice the number of genes found in any individual line. This new estimate enables breeders to tap into genetic variability for traits like yield and disease resistance.
Researchers charted the lineage of potatoes to understand how they were domesticated and how their DNA evolved. They identified genes targeted during domestication that control variance for agricultural traits, vital to food security.
Researchers have sequenced the bottle gourd genome, providing insights into the evolutionary history and relationships of cucurbits. The study reconstructed the ancient genomic history of the Cucurbitaceae family, revealing new information on disease resistance genes and genetic traits.
Researchers from Bielefeld University discover a protein called AtGRP7 that regulates daily cycles in plant cells. The study reveals the 'auxiliary clock' plays a crucial role in synchronizing cellular processes with environmental changes.
The genome of a wild ancestor of bread wheat, Aegilops tauschii, has been sequenced by an international team of scientists. The findings will enable researchers to discover new genes improving wheat quality and resistance to diseases. This breakthrough technology can be applied to other plant genomes.
Researchers develop new data mining technique to extract genetic information from large sequence data sets. The method, tested on a plant family with unique floral structures, retrieves useful sequences from genes influencing flower shape and symmetry.
Researchers at the University of Georgia sequenced the genome of garden asparagus, shedding light on sex chromosome evolution and aiding breeding efforts. They identified genetic markers that allow breeders to efficiently distinguish male and female plants, paving the way for more efficient development and production of valuable hybrid...
Scientists have completed the sequencing of the stevia plant genome, revealing key enzyme groups and potentially new markers for breeding. The research provides a better understanding of the stevia plant's biosynthesis pathways and will enable the creation of improved stevia varieties with optimized levels of sweet-tasting compounds.
A recent study found evidence of an ancient whole genome duplication event in Cucurbitaceae plants, occurring 107-118 million years ago. This event is proposed to have driven the fast divergence and success of seed and flowering plants.
A team of researchers is using genomic breeding approaches to develop disease-resistant, nutrient-rich banana varieties for smallholder farmers in East Africa. The goal is to boost yields by 30% and create high-yielding hybrids by 2019.
Researchers successfully altered the flower color of Japanese morning glory from violet to white using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology. The study highlights the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for studying and manipulating genes in horticultural plants.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a mechanism for regulating gene activity in plants by identifying small DNA sequences called Polycomb response elements (PREs) that direct the silencing of genes. These PREs can be manipulated using gene-editing techniques to alter gene expression without adding foreign gene...
A new type of plant, 'Shetland's monkeyflower', has been discovered in the Shetland Isles, resulting from the doubling of its chromosomes. The plant, a descendant of a non-native species, produces larger flowers and changes in leaf size and flowering time.
Gene silencing is crucial for plant development and growth, and a recent study has shed light on its mechanisms. The researchers discovered that Polycomb-group proteins play a key role in this process, using histone modifications to silence genes.
The study found that the red vizcacha rat's genome grew quickly due to the expansion of highly repetitive elements, rather than whole genome duplication. This mechanism is also thought to contribute to 'genomic baggage' in humans, influencing disease susceptibility.
The study reveals genes controlling key traits in wheat domestication and identifies novel variation to improve grain quality and drought tolerance. Researchers have created a 'time tunnel' to examine wheat from its wild origins, enabling the identification of genes involved in domestication.
Katayoon Dehesh, a UC Riverside molecular biochemist, has been elected to the Leopoldina, the German National Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on deciphering the molecular and biochemical regulatory mechanisms underlying stress-induced responses in plants.
The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has released 1,003 phylogenetically diverse bacterial and archaeal reference genomes, which will aid in understanding the functions of genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways with wide applications in bioenergy, biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
Researchers have mapped the genome of C. zofingiensis, a green alga that produces astaxanthin, an antioxidant with potential health benefits. The study reveals critical genes and enzymes for producing astaxanthin, which could lead to advances in biofuels and medicine.