New Genetic Insights Could Help Make Corn More Resilient to Climate Change

markrenngont

A new study led by the University of Michigan has uncovered important clues about how corn plants regulate gene activity at the cellular level—information that could help farmers adapt crops more effectively to a changing climate. By analyzing DNA from nearly 200 maize lines, researchers have gained a clearer picture of how gene expression within individual cell types links to traits like ear size and number.

The research, led by Alexandre Marand, assistant professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, reveals that much of the observable variation in corn traits doesn't stem from changes to the genes themselves, but rather from differences in how, when, and where those genes are activated. The findings, published in Science, bridge a long-standing gap between molecular genetics and visible plant traits.

“Just a decade ago, we were mainly trying to connect specific genetic changes directly to how traits developed,” said Marand. “This study shows that most of the variation actually comes from how genes are regulated—essentially, how each cell decides to use its genetic instructions.”

https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=172
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=173
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=174
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=175
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=176
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=177
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=178
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=179
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=180
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=181
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=182
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=183
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=184
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=185
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=186
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=187
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=188
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=189
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=190
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=191
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=192
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=193
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=194
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=195
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=196
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=197
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=198
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=199
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=200
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=201
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=202
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=203
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=204
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=205
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=206
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=207
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=208
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=209
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=210
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=211
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=212
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=213
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=214
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=215
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=216
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=217
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=218
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=219
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=220
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=221
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=222
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=223
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=224
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=225
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=226
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=227
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=228
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=229
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=230
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=231
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=232
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=233
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=234
https://www.kumander.org/viewtopic.php?t=235


Although corn's full genome was sequenced over 15 years ago, scientists have struggled to explain why minor genetic differences often lead to major changes in plant traits. The answer, it turns out, lies in how different cell types activate genes in different ways, even though all cells share the same underlying DNA.

In recent years, advances in technology have allowed researchers to study gene expression in individual plant cells with much greater precision. Marand's team used these tools to examine how regulatory elements in the genome behave across different corn varieties. By doing so, they were able to connect changes in gene regulation with changes in phenotype—how the plant looks and functions.

"It's like we knew all the parts of a car and their individual functions," said Marand. "Now, we're learning how those parts interact—how changing one affects the others. That understanding helps us figure out how to make the whole system run better."

This level of detail is crucial for predicting how genetic tweaks might affect a plant. By understanding regulatory mechanisms, scientists can more accurately forecast whether a modification will produce a small improvement—or lead to major, potentially synergistic effects.

The research also provides valuable insights into the evolution of corn. Originally a tropical crop, maize has been selectively bred over generations to grow in diverse climates, including cooler regions like Michigan. Marand and his colleagues found that many of the evolutionary changes enabling this adaptability involved shifts in regulatory DNA, with effects that were highly specific to certain cell types.

By studying a wide range of maize varieties, the team was able to identify patterns of regulatory evolution that contributed to the plant’s success in different environments. These findings offer new strategies for breeding corn that can better withstand environmental challenges.

“This study gives us a roadmap for how to improve crops in a targeted way,” said Marand. “By understanding how gene regulation varies between cells and between corn lines, we can design better plants—ones that are more productive, more resilient, and better suited to future climates.”