A recent study led by Alexandre Marand, an assistant professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at the University of Michigan, has uncovered significant insights that could assist growers in adapting their crops to rapidly changing environmental conditions. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, specifically looked at DNA from almost 200 inbred lines, or varieties, of maize plants. This research revealed innovative avenues to create increased yielding and climate-resilient crops.
Marand’s study sheds light on how corn, which originated in tropical regions, has evolved to thrive in diverse climates, including Michigan’s temperate environment. The findings suggest that understanding the activity of genes within different cell types can provide crucial information for improving crop resilience. Collaborative work continues to build upon this accomplishment, with more than 15 years of corn genome sequencing advancements. Today, researchers are able to identify very fine genetic differences between different maize samples.
One thing that Marand found incredible was that ten years ago, the main thrust of research was trying to associate genetic changes with phenotypic changes. At that time, the research was only starting to come out. He was the first to show that most variation in physical traits could be attributed to changes in gene regulation. This encompasses things such as the timing, location, and abundance of gene expression.
The research shows the promise of optimizing beneficial plant traits by leveraging a more robust understanding of the rules of gene regulation. “Now that we can make those connections, we can tease apart the different cell contexts and we can start to put things together to optimize plants or to optimize some trait that we’re interested in,” Marand explained.
It’s especially important, Marand noted, to translate this research into real-world impacts for growers. “What this study shows is that, actually, most phenotypic variation comes from changes to regulation of a gene,” he noted. This insight allows researchers to predict the outcomes of genetic alterations more effectively, determining whether they will be additive or even synergistic.
The core research team was rounded out by passionate postdoctoral researchers Luguang Jiang and Fabio Gomez-Cano. As Marand explained, their substantial contributions ultimately got the study “across the finish line.” Their combined, groundbreaking work serves to demonstrate the profound impact of collaborative scientific research on black soil health and climate-smart agriculture.