Seed Genomics

This up-to-date review of seed genomics, from basic seed biology to practical applications in crop science, provides a thorough background understanding of seed biology from a basic science perspective. A valuable resource for advanced graduate students, post-docs, researchers and professionals in the Plant and Crop Sciences, this book brings together top researchers in the field to cover three general themes: genomic approaches to studying seeds, genomic analysis of basic seed biology, and crop seed genomics. A valuable resource for advanced graduate students, post-docs, researchers and professionals in the Plant and Crop Sciences

Autorentext
Philip W. Becraft is Professor in the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, and the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University

Klappentext

Seeds are essential to both agricultural practices and human and animal nutrition, as a source of proteins, oils, starches, and nutrients. Advancing genomic technologies have provided researchers with new insights into the fundamental biology of seed development. Seed Genomics looks at the biological advances being made and the impact of these discoveries on crop biotechnology, breeding, and improvement strategies.

Seed Genomics looks at the application of genomic analyses to various aspects of seed research and improvement. The book opens with an historical perspective on the field. Subsequent chapters look at the impact of genomic advances on understanding the fundamental biology of seed development. The following chapters look at seed components such as proteins, oils, starch and fiber, and the genomic basis of these properties in seed crops. The closing chapters then explore genomic approaches informing strategies for seed crop improvement.

Providing a broad-ranging look at genomic advances in fundamental and applied aspects of seed biology, Seed Genomics will be an essential resource for seed biologists, crop scientists, crop geneticists and others working in allied fields.

Inhalt

Contributors xi

Introduction 1
Philip W. Becraft

**Chapter 1 Large-Scale Mutant Analysis of Seed Development in Arabidopsis 5
David W. Meinke

Introduction 5

Historical Perspective 5

Arabidopsis Embryo Mutant System 7

Large-Scale Forward Genetic Screens for Seed Mutants 7

Approaches to Mutant Analysis 8

Strategies for Approaching Saturation 10

SeedGenes Database of Essential Genes in Arabidopsis 11

Embryo Mutants with Gametophyte Defects 13

General Features of EMB Genes in Arabidopsis 14

Value of Large Datasets of Essential Genes 15

Directions for Future Research 16

Acknowledgments 17

References 17

**Chapter 2 Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis: Signaling, Genes, and the Control of Identity 21
D. L. C. Kumari Fonseka, Xiyan Yang, Anna Mudge, Jennifer F. Topping, and Keith Lindsey

Introduction 21

Cellular Events 21

Genes and Signaling the Global Picture 23

Coordination of Genes and Cellular Processes: a Role for Hormones 25

Genes and Pattern 30

Conclusion and Future Directions 36

References 36

**Chapter 3 Endosperm Development 43
Odd-Arne Olsen and Philip W. Becraft

Introduction 43

Overview of Endosperm Structure and Development 43

Endosperm Cell Fate Specification and Differentiation 48

Genomic Resources 53

Transcriptional Profiling of Endosperm Development 54

Gene Imprinting in Cereal Endosperm 56

Conclusion 57

Acknowledgments 58

References 58

**Chapter 4 Epigenetic Control of Seed Gene Imprinting 63
Christian A. Ibarra, Jennifer M. Frost, Juhyun Shin, Tzung-Fu Hsieh, and Robert L. Fischer

Introduction 63

Genomic Imprinting and Parental Conflict Theory 63

Epigenetic Regulators of Arabidopsis Imprinting 65

Mechanisms Establishing Arabidopsis Gene Imprinting 69

Imprinting in the Embryo 74

Imprinting in Monocots 75

Evolution of Plant Imprinting 77

Conclusion 78

Acknowledgments 78

References 78

**Chapter 5 Apomixis 83
Anna M. G. Koltunow, Peggy Ozias-Akins, and Imran Siddiqi

Introduction 83

Biology of Apomixis in Natural Systems 84

Phylogenetic and Geographical Distribution of Apomixis 89

Inheritance of Apomixis 90

Genetic Diversity in Natural Apomictic Populations 93

Molecular Relationships between Sexual and Apomictic Pathways 94

Features of Chromosomes Carrying Apomixis Loci and Implications for Regulation of Apomixis 95

Genes Associated with Apomixis 96

Transferring Apomixis to Sexual Plants: Clues from Apomicts 97

Synthetic Approach to Building Apomixis 98

Synthetic Clonal Seed Formation 102

Conclusion and Future Prospects 103

References 103

**Chapter 6 High-Throughput Genetic Dissection of Seed Dormancy 111
Jose M. Barrero, Colin Cavanagh, and Frank Gubler

Introduction 111

Profiling of Transcriptomic Changes 113

Use of New Sequencing Platforms and Associated Techniques to Study Seed Dormancy 114

Visualization Tools 116

Coexpression Studies and Systems Biology Approaches 116

Mapping Populations for Gene Discovery 117

Perspective 118

Acknowledgments 119

References 119

**Chapter 7 Genomic Specification of Starch Biosynthesis in Maize Endosperm 123
Tracie A. Hennen-Bierwagen and Alan M. Myers

Introduction 123

Overview of Starch Biosynthetic Pathway 124 Genomic Specification of Endo...