Experts in the heart of Husker Nation are once again helping the world unravel the genetic secrets of corn — a crop that plays a pivotal role in global agriculture.
Experts in the heart of Husker Nation are once again helping the world unravel the genetic secrets of corn — a crop that plays a pivotal role in global agriculture.
In the latest published work from the lab of Nebraska’s James Schnable, Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez and Guangchao Sun helped an international team identify a hidden layer of genetic control within the DNA of corn. The findings reveal how small variations in DNA can influence important traits such as drought resistance, plant height and flower time, ultimately leading to more resilient crops. The study is to be published in Nature Genetics.
“The breakthrough we’re working toward is being able to look at maize (corn) DNA and say, ‘These are the parts that determine how genes are expressed — and this is how they shape the plant in the field,’” said Schnable, the Nebraska Corn Checkoff Presidential Chair and professor of agronomy and horticulture. “We’re not quite there yet — we can’t take a gene and just dial it up or down on command. But we’re getting closer.”
Read more at: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
James Schnable is the Nebraska Corn Checkoff presidential chair and professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He leads a research group focused on the quantitative genetics and breeding of corn, sorghum and other related crops. (Photo Credit: Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing)
