ln the first four months, Pl Zhang and Co-Pl Yu's labs will conduct RNA-seq experiments on all RAN samples which will be collected by Co-Pl Clemente's lab. Pl Zhang's lab will spend three months to analyze the RNA-seq data and identify significantly differentially expressed genes and altered oil synthesis pathways. Next, Pl Zhang's lab will spend three months to use the statistical model to look for the significant regulatory pathways to limit oil accumulation. ln the last two months, Pl Zhang and Co-Pl Yu's labs will conduct experimental validation to the specific gene expression regulation. ln the second year, conduct the data integration and network analysis for Objective Two. We will construct an integration model to simulate the gene network for multiple datasets and look for the statistically significant genes and pathways that regulate oil synthesis in multiple transgenic alleles. Experimental validation will be conducted.
The project will generate an online database of oil-accumulation-related differentially expressed genes and gene expression profiles and co-expression networks of soybeans for public use. The database will be posted on the Pl's lab web, http://sysbio.unl.edu/. This database will be valuable to experimentalists in guiding the research on oil synthesis and oil type regulation in soybeans. All transcriptomic data generated by this project will be deposited to the NCBl databases. To reach broader audience, by taking full advantage of our solid skills and expertise in computer related technology, we will host a webpage to provide soybean biology related knowledge about oil synthesis and accumulations in soybean seeds. At the same time, results from the proposed research will be disseminated broadly; we will present our results to the scientific community through meeting reports, invited lectures, and peer-reviewed publications. Those media will also be available online, including in NebGuides database. Special seminars for soybean producers will be held at the UNL.