2021
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:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Marc Libault, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
708
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Nebraska Soybean Board
$79,840
Institution Funded:
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
$79,840
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...

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

One unique and innovative aspect of this proposal is the quantification of gene activity at the level of individual cells. This will be accomplished by using a single-nuclei approach to provide the highest resolution to better understand the transcriptional regulation of the soybean genes during seed development. This project is highly relevant to the Nebraska Soybean Board based on the need to develop new functional genomic resources to facilitate gene function studies. This proposal intends to support this goal through the creation of a website to access the transcriptional activity of soybean genes in seed single-cell-types. This project will also help in refining our current knowledge of the soybean gene regulatory pathways including those controlling the biosynthesis of seed oil and proteins.
Finally, combined to gene editing technologies, the characterization of the transcriptional activity of the soybean gene at the single cell-type level will support the development of precision genomic tools.

Final Project Results

Updated May 19, 2023:

View uploaded report PDF file

This project will provide the highest resolution possible in the transcriptomic profile of each gene composing the soybean genome. Accessing this information will help understand the role of each gene and gene cluster. 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.