Using Brachypodium as a model to study adaptation, growth and evolution in grass (Natural Variation in Grass)
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
This project aims to explore and exploit new molecular genomic resources for the small wild grass, Brachypodium distachyon. We have identified variation in several grain-related traits that are believed to be locally or generally adaptive. We will characterise existing and new accessions collected from its native range for both morphological and genetic variation with the longer term aim of relating morphological variation with its underlying genetic cause and possible adaptive significance.
Planned Impact
unavailable
People |
ORCID iD |
| John Doonan (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Betekhtin A
(2020)
In Vitro Tissue Culture in Brachypodium: Applications and Challenges.
in International journal of molecular sciences
Betekhtin A
(2018)
Cell Wall Epitopes and Endoploidy as Reporters of Embryogenic Potential in Brachypodium Distachyon Callus Culture.
in International journal of molecular sciences
Bettgenhaeuser J
(2017)
Natural Variation in Brachypodium Links Vernalization and Flowering Time Loci as Major Flowering Determinants.
in Plant physiology
Fisher LH
(2016)
Linking Dynamic Phenotyping with Metabolite Analysis to Study Natural Variation in Drought Responses of Brachypodium distachyon.
in Frontiers in plant science
Gladala-Kostarz A
(2020)
Mechanical stimulation in Brachypodium distachyon: Implications for fitness, productivity, and cell wall properties.
in Plant, cell & environment
Opanowicz M
(2011)
Endosperm development in Brachypodium distachyon.
in Journal of experimental botany
Thole V
(2012)
T-DNA mutagenesis in Brachypodium distachyon.
in Journal of experimental botany
Vain P
(2011)
A T-DNA mutation in the RNA helicase eIF4A confers a dose-dependent dwarfing phenotype in Brachypodium distachyon
in The Plant Journal
| Description | The small wild grass Brachypodium originates in the region where wheat and barley (and perhaps oats) were domesticated. We hypothesised that it should, therefore, have experienced similar evolutionary pressures before man began to domesticate the cereals. We showed that its grain development is very similar to the domesticates but that it was unlikely to have ever been exploited by man (the grain is very low in starch and high in antifeedants) and it is not known to be a crop-mimick. Therefore, man won't have altered its gene-pool, at least not by direct action. We then made mapping populations to define the gene-variants controlling domestication related characteristics such as grain size, shattering, etc. We have identified some of these and inferred the candidate genes, some of which seem to the same as in wheat and even rice. this indicates that the variation existing in the gene pool of a wild grass, never cultivated, is similar to and produces very similar traits to that required to produce a domesticated cereal. The selective advantage of these gene variants in the natural environment is unknown but intriguing. |
| Exploitation Route | The mapping populations also contain disease resistance variation and this is being exploited by other research groups. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
| Description | Using Brachypodium as a model to study adaptation, growth and evolution in grass |
| Amount | £155,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | F00424R |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2010 |
| End | 06/2014 |
| Title | ABR6 x Bd21 Mapping Population |
| Description | Recombination Inbred population of over 100 lines, each genotyped at the F4/5 and F8/9 generations. has been shared with several labs in UK and USA |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Grant Award 2019 from JGI USA for Community Project, based on this resource |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5210709/ |
| Description | Community Science Project |
| Organisation | U.S. Department of Energy |
| Department | Genome-Enabled Plant Biology for Determination of Gene Function |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | we provided samples from grass to DOE |
| Collaborator Contribution | they provided sequence information on genomes and transcriptomes |
| Impact | manuscript in advanced draft |
| Start Year | 2017 |