Renowned Researcher Improves Wheat in Oklahoma

At the Oklahoma State University, wheat research is a fast-paced science. It helps that Liuling Yan, a scientist widely recognized for his work in the cloning of genes from the complex genome of wheat, is one of OSU's researchers. Yan and his research group, working in collaboration with Brett Carver, OSU Regents professor of wheat genetics and breeding, recently discovered a genome region that has a significant effect on the development process of winter wheat. A DNA marker for this genomic region has been developed to select lines for biomass production that can be utilized as forage or as a supplemental biofuel feedstock. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology recently gave a two-year  $90,000 grant to support Yan’s work in the cloning of this gene that is beneficial to the dual purpose wheat in Oklahoma.

In 2006, Yan gained  worldwide attention for his cloning of the third vernalization gene from wheat. Vernalization or long-term exposure to low temperatures to flower is required for Oklahoma winter wheat varieties. He also discovered key minute differences in the DNA of winter wheat varieties and their initiation of reproductive development.

Read the complete article at http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/donald.stotts-40okstate.edu/osu-wheat-breeder2019s-genetic-code-breaking-means-dollars-to-oklahoma-and-region.