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Structural GenomicsStructural genomics is the science of describing the physical properties of genomes. The ultimate outcome of structural genomics is a genome sequence-that is, the DNA code consisting of A, T, C and G for an entire genome. Structural genomics also involves the physical description of a genome in terms of types of genes, gene structures, and the distribution of genes within a genome. Structural genomics also underpins the process of cloning genes. For instance, cloning disease resistance genes based on genetic maps involves structural genomics. More recently structural genomics has come to encompass the protein structures of expressed genes. That is, the three dimensional structure of proteins obtained through X-ray crystallography, NMR, or computational modeling of predicted protein structures. In the Agronomy department, structural genomics is a tool used for cloning agronomically important genes, building sequence maps of genomes, and understanding how genomes of agronomic plants are organized.
Functional GenomicsThis area of research generates and explores the growing wealth of DNA sequence data available for both model and crop plant species. Determining the nature and functions of gene products, the regulation of their expression and their interactions with one another as the plant grows provide us unparalleled opportunities to design better ways to grow existing crops, as well as develop new crops to grow.
Computational GenomicsThe fields of statistics, genetics, and agriculture share a long history of mutual benefit that has recently been reaffirmed through advances in molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics. This resurgence has forged cooperative connections among mathematics, statistics, computer science, and biology that are fueled by technological advances -- in short, to a new interdisciplinary approach to biology.
Comparative GenomicsComparative genomics research in the Department of Agronomy includes use of known nucleotide and protein sequence information of various plant species to identify and map genes in related species. Sequence information developed in model species, including rice and arabidopsis, is very useful and applicable to related grass and legume species that have larger genomes in which it is initially more difficult to isolate and clone genes of interest.
Plant BreedingResearch in plant breeding utilizes both economically important crops and model plant species. It involves a range of fundamental genetics and plant breeding research on host plant-pest interactions and environmental stress tolerance, relationship between structure and function of cell walls, cytoskeletal organization and tissue and organ formation as related to plant structure, genetic control of seed development, value-added plant traits, understanding biochemical pathways of specific plant traits, bioinformatics, and increased crop productivity.
Plant Physiology & BiochemistryPlant Physiologists and Biochemists in the Department of Agronomy strive to identify plant characteristics, biochemical processes, enzymes, and genes that impact yield, quality, and stress tolerance of crops. This information is crucial to plant breeders and geneticists who require that traits and genes be identified and characterized in order for them to accelerate genetic improvement of crop plants. Studies are conducted in a broad range of settings ranging from the laboratory to the field, and across scales ranging from the cellular to the whole-plant. |
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