Scientists Uncover Genes to Make Disease-Resistant Grains

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have identified a set of genes that could be key to the development of the next generation of super rice. Biologist Ramakrishna Wusirika and PhD student Rafi Shaik uncovered more than 1,000 genes in rice that appear to play key roles in managing its response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Wusirika and Shaik discovered that 1,377 from the approximately 3,800 genes involved in rice's stress response played a role in both types of stress.

The scientists looked at the genes' response to five abiotic stresses (drought, heavy metal contamination, salt, cold and nutrient deprivation) and five biotic stresses (bacteria, fungus, insect predation, weed competition and nematodes). A total of 196 genes showed a wide range of expressions to these stresses. Wusirika said "The top genes are likely candidates for developing a rice variety with broad stress-range tolerance." She added that they would like to test their findings to see if five or 10 of the genes work as predicted.

For more information, read the news release at: http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2014/march/story104885.html.