Analysis Identifies Specific Genes Found in All Grasses

A new computational biology pipeline has successfully identified more than 13,000 groups of protein-coding genes conserved across grasses. This advancement provides researchers with a valuable resource for exploring gene function within these crucial plant species, which hold significant economic and ecological importance.

The study identified 13,312 highly conserved "universal" groups of grass genes drawn from the genomic data of 16 fully sequenced grass species. These genes are present across all studied grasses, and the genes within groups are highly similar, suggesting they are responsible for vital functions in all grasses. The study also identified 4,609 gene groups that are likely involved in functions specific to monocots, commelinids, or grasses. This is a significant step toward untangling the evolution of traits that led to the evolutionary success of the grasses.

Rothamsted's Dr. Rowan Mitchell, the study's author, said he hopes that the research community will find their research results useful to accelerate progress in grass genetics, including efforts to improve the yield, stress resistance, and nutrient use in cereals such as rice, wheat, and maize.

For more details, read the news article on the Rothamsted Research website.