2022
Teasing apart the Genetic Complexity of Soybean Seed Development
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Nebraska Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomics
Parent Project:
Teasing apart the Genetic Complexity of Soybean Seed Development
Lead Principal Investigator:
Marc Libault, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
708
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Nebraska Soybean Board
$42,118
Institution Funded:
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
$42,118
Brief Project Summary:

The purpose of this project is to precisely identify the genes, gene networks, and master regulators (e.g., transcription factors) controlling soybean seed development and, ultimately, soybean yield. To reach this objective, we propose to analyze the activity of the soybean genes in each cell composing the seed and during seed development. This project will have several major outcomes: 1- the identification of the genes that contribute to soybean seed biology and the establishment of the time-course of their activity during seed development; 2- the characterization of seed cell-type-specific gene networks; 3- the identification of seed cell-type-specific promoter sequences. The latter will...

Unique Keywords:
#breeding & genetics
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)/Milestones/Deliverables:
KPI1: October 2021; Major deliverable from Year 1 of this project: Generation of sequencing datasets. KPI2: March 2022; Data analyzed and preliminary map of the transcriptome of soybean single cell.
KPI3: Summer 2022; Characterization of the programs and GRNs controlling soybean seed development.

Project economic impact:
This project will allow the identification of complex genetic programs controlling seed development, oil, and protein accumulation. Accessing this information will enable a better understanding of the regulation of oil and protein accumulation, protein and oil quality, and soybean yield. Hence, these fundamental discoveries will enable researchers (including the Libault lab) to control with unprecedented accuracy these various soybean traits. Ultimately, patents will be submitted to protect these discoveries.

Final Project Results

Updated May 26, 2023:

View uploaded report PDF file

This project will have a profound impact on soybean productivity. It will help identify the genes that contribute to soybean development. Considering the strong focus of this project on seed development, we will gain a deep understanding of the role of the soybean genes and their co-expression during seed development and protein/oil accumulation. This resource will allow soybean researchers to develop more accurate synthetic biology strategies to enhance soybean yield and oil/protein quality.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.