Genetical genomics: the added value from segregation.

The recent successes of genome-wide expression profiling in biology tend to overlook the power of genetics. We here propose a merger of genomics and genetics into 'genetical genomics'. This involves expression profiling and marker-based fingerprinting of each individual of a segregating population, and exploits all the statistical tools used in the analysis of quantitative trait loci. Genetical genomics will combine the power of two different worlds in a way that is likely to become instrumental in the further unravelling of metabolic, regulatory and developmental pathways.     

野生经济植物资源橡籽仁可利用价值的研究

以京白种鸡作鸡作试验动,以玉米、稻谷作对照,采用鸡真代谢能（ＴＭＥ）法研究野生经济植物资源橡胶籽仁的可利用营养价值。结果表明,橡籽仁１ｋｇ含量总能（ＧＥ）１６．５３ＭＪ,表观代谢能（ＡＭＥ）１１．１３ＭＪ,真代谢能（ＴＭＥ）１１．６６ＭＪ,,含粗蛋白（ＣＰ）１０．６３％,ＣＰ的表观利用率（ＣＰＡＡ）４５．５５％,真利用率（ＣＰＴＡ）４９．８３％,１７种氨基酸（ＡＡ）总含量９．２３％,必需氨基酸（Ｅ     

The tomato genome: implications for plant breeding, genomics and evolution

ABSTRACT: The genome sequence of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), one of the most important vegetable crops, has recently been decoded. We address implications of the tomato genome for plant breeding, genomics and evolutionary studies, and its potential to fuel future crop biology research.     

Kang, M. S. Quantitative genetics, genomics and plant breeding

This comprehensive volume brings together the expertise of internationallyacclaimed experts in the areas of quantitative genetics, genomicsand bioinformatics, applied to improve crops’ performanceand to further our understanding of the intricacies of the genotypeby environment (G x E) interaction. The complexity of the subjectarea dealt with by the book has been masterfully dissected andskillfully presented in a number of revealing chapters, providingthe     

Evolutionary and ecological functional genomics,from lab to the wild

Plant phenotypes are the result of both genetic and environmental forces that act to modulate trait expression. Over the last few years, numerous approaches in functional genomics and systems biology have led to a greater understanding of plant phenotypic variation and plant responses to the environment. These approaches, and the questions that they can address, have been loosely termed evolutionary and ecological functional genomics (EEFG), and have been providing key insights on how plants adapt and evolve. In particular, by bringing these studies from the laboratory to the field, EEFG studies allow us to gain greater knowledge of how plants function in their natural contexts.     

植物功能基因组研究方法及进展

随着植物功能基因组研究的深入,T-DNA标签、转座子标签、反义RNA技术、基因敲除、基因陷阱和TILLING技术等多种研究方法获得了建立,并随着植物功能基因组学的不断发展而进一步完善.综述了各类研究方法的原理,并对这些方法的优缺点进行了比较与分析.     

The adaptive value of epigenetic mutation: Limited in large but high in small peripheral populations

The fate of populations during range expansions, invasions and environmental changes is largely influenced by their ability to adapt to peripheral habitats. Recent models demonstrate that stable epigenetic modifications of gene expression that occur more frequently than genetic mutations can both help and hinder adaptation in panmictic populations. However, these models do not consider interactions between epimutations and evolutionary forces in peripheral populations. Here, we use mainland–island mathematical models and simulations to explore how the faster rate of epigenetic mutation compared to genetic mutations interacts with migration, selection and genetic drift to affect adaptation in peripheral populations. Our model focuses on cases where epigenetic marks are stably inherited. In a large peripheral population, where the effect of genetic drift is negligible, our analyses suggest that epimutations with random fitness impacts that occur at rates as high as 10^–3 increase local adaptation when migration is strong enough to overwhelm divergent selection. When migration is weak relative to selection and epimutations with random fitness impacts decrease adaptation, we find epigenetic modifications must be highly adaptively biased to enhance adaptation. Finally, in small peripheral populations, where genetic drift is strong, epimutations contribute to adaptation under a wider range of evolutionary conditions. Overall, our results suggest that epimutations can change outcomes of adaptation in peripheral populations, which has implications for understanding conservation and range expansions and contractions, especially of small populations.     

Applied plant genomics: the secret is integration

Although concerted efforts to understand selected botanical models have been made, the resulting basic knowledge varies in its applicability to other diverse species including the major crops. Recent advances in high-throughput genomics are offering new avenues through which to exploit model systems for the study of botanical diversity, providing prospects for crop improvement. In particular, whole-genome sequencing has provided opportunities for the broader application of reverse genetics, expression profiling, and molecular mapping in diverse species.     

Ecological and evolutionary genomics in the wild tomatoes (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon)

The plant group Solanum section Lycopersicon (the clade containing the domesticated tomato and its wild relatives) is ideal for integrating genomic tools and approaches into ecological and evolutionary research. Wild species within Lycopersicon span broad morphological, physiological, life history, mating system, and biochemical variation, and are separated by substantial, but incomplete postmating reproductive barriers, making this an ideal system for genetic analyses of these traits. This ecological and evolutionary diversity is matched by many logistical advantages, including extensive historical occurrence records for all species in the group, publicly available germplasm for hundreds of known wild accessions, demonstrated experimental tractability, and extensive genetic, genomic, and functional tools and information from the tomato research community. Here I introduce the numerous advantages of this system for Ecological and Evolutionary Functional Genomics (EEFG), and outline several ecological and evolutionary phenotypes and questions that can be fruitfully tackled in this system. These include biotic and abiotic adaptation, reproductive trait evolution, and the genetic basis of speciation. With the modest enhancement of some research strengths, this system is poised to join the best of our currently available model EEFG systems.     

Enlarged fatty livers of small juvenile cod: a comparison of laboratory-cultured and wild juveniles

Large juveniles and adult cod Gadus morhua develop enlarged fatty livers when fed high-energy lipid-rich diets in captivity; however, little is known of the partitioning of growth energy of small juveniles. This study compared simple indices of condition of laboratory-cultured and wild juvenile cod of similar size that consumed high-energy, lipid-rich food to determine whether small juveniles develop enlarged fatty livers in captivity. Cultured cod developed enlarged fatty livers. The hepatosomatic index ( I _H) and condition factor of cultured cod were significantly higher and tissue water contents were significantly lower than in wild cod. Cultured cod also exhibited significantly higher muscle mass at length. Cod of similar age exhibited a high range in body size, high coeficient of variation in size and the I _H was correlated positively with body size indicating that a size-selective social hierarchy had developed in the laboratory. In contrast, the I _H of wild cod was correlated negatively with body size, supplying evidence of high utilization of dietary lipids by larger juveniles in association with increased metabolic expenditure when feeding on small prey items.