Study Reveals New Insight into "Immortal" Plant Cells
December 20, 2017| |
A new study conducted by a research team from The John Innes Centre (JIC) led by Dr. Xiaoqi Feng reveals that plants have a reprogramming mechanism that allows them to maintain fitness down the generations. The team made the discovery while studying germ cells in flowering plants. Germ cells, specialized for sexual reproduction, are referred to as "immortal" because they pass genetic material through the generations.
The JIC team worked with colleagues from the University of Leicester to reveal for the first time the existence of DNA methylation changes in the germline of flowering plants. They also revealed that this reprogramming happens via a process known as de novo (anew) DNA methylation and its biological significance in maintaining reproductive success.
Dr. Feng explained, "Our research shows that developmentally regulated DNA methylation reprogramming can regulate plant development. Scientists have been searching for this for a long time. We show that genes can be regulated in specific cells via the de novo DNA methylation pathway, which is prevalent in many plant tissues, hence this mechanism may apply to many processes in plants."
For more details, read the JIC News and Events.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- JGI and UNC Develop Functional Genomics Database for Plant Microbiome Studies
- USDA FAS-GAIN Reports Agri-biotech Updates in Mozambique
- Researchers Trace Potato's Origins, Its Untapped Potential
- Large Scale Trials Reveal Secrets to Adaptation of Modern Corn Hybrids
- Society of Toxicology: No Verifiable Evidence of Potential for Adverse Health Effects of GE Crops
- Temple University Study Did Not Conclude Link Between Canola Oil Consumption and Alzheimer's
- CSIRO Scientists Develop New Type of Wheat with Ten Times More Fiber
- Study Reveals New Insight into "Immortal" Plant Cells
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Report New Signaling Pathway for Chilling Tolerance in Rice
- Aquaporin Gene Increases Fruit Size and Enhances Drought Tolerance in Tomato
- Overexpression of AtEDT1 Gene Confers Drought Tolerance in Alfalfa
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Engineers Create Plants that Glow
-
Resources
- Biotech Country Facts and Trends (Industrial Countries)
-
Plant
- Knock-out of OsAnn3 Decreases Cold Tolerance in Rice
- Scientists Use CRISPR to Modify Promoters and Boost Crop Yields
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (September 4, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (August 28, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet