Mayerhinton2049

Economically relevant traits are routinely collected within the commercial segments of the beef industry but are rarely included in genetic evaluations because of unknown pedigrees. Individual relationships could be resurrected with genomics, but this would be costly; therefore, pooling DNA and phenotypic data provide a cost-effective solution. Pedigree, phenotypic, and genomic data were simulated for a beef cattle population consisting of 15 generations. Genotypes mimicked a 50k marker panel (841 quantitative trait loci were located across the genome, approximately once per 3 Mb) and the phenotype was moderately heritable. Individuals from generation 15 were included in pools (observed genotype and phenotype were mean values of a group). Estimated breeding values (EBV) were generated from a single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction model. The effects of pooling strategy (random and minimizing or uniformly maximizing phenotypic variation within pools), pool size (1, 2, 10, 20, 50, 100, or no data fro data from generation 15 were seen with sires with prior low EBV accuracy (those born in generation 14). Pooling of any size led to larger EBV accuracies of the pools than individual data when minimizing phenotypic variation. Resulting EBV for the pools could be used to inform management decisions of those pools. Pooled genotyping to garner commercial-level phenotypes for genetic evaluations seems plausible although differences exist depending on pool size and pool formation strategy.Grain size is a major determinant of grain yield in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and other cereals. Over 100 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of grain size have been identified in sorghum. However, no gene underlying any grain size QTL has been cloned. Here, we describe the fine mapping and cloning of one grain size QTL. From an F8 RIL population derived from a cross between inbred lines 654 and LTR108, we identified 44 grain size QTLs. One QTL, qTGW1a, was detected consistently on the long arm of chromosome 1 in the span of four years. Using the extreme recombinants from an F23 fine-mapping population, qTGW1a was delimited within a ~33-kb region, containing three predicted genes. Of them, SORBI_3001G341700, predicted to encode a G-protein γ subunit homologous to the GS3 in rice, is likely to be the causative gene for qTGW1a. qTGW1a appears to act as a negative regulator of grain size in sorghum. The functional allele of the putatively causative gene of qTGW1a from the inbred line 654 decreased grain size, plant height, and grain yield in transgenic rice. Identification of the gene underlying qTGW1a advanced our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of grain size in sorghum and provided a target to manipulate grain size through genome editing.The 2020 SICB Society-wide Symposium "Building Bridges from Genomes to Phenomes Molecules, Methods and Models" brought together a diverse group of scientists to discuss recent progress in linking phenotype plasticity to changes at the level of the genome, epigenome, and proteome, while exploring the boundaries between variation and speciation. In a follow-up workshop, participants were asked to assess strengths and weaknesses of current approaches, to identify common barriers inhibiting their progress and to outline the resources needed to overcome those barriers. Discussion groups generally recognized the absence of any overarching theoretical framework underlying current genome to phenome research and, therefore, called for a new emphasis on the development of conceptual models as well as the interdisciplinary collaborations needed to create and test those models. Participants also recognized a critical need for new and improved molecular and bioinformatic approaches to assist in describing function/phenotypes across phylogeny. And, like all scientific endeavors, progress in genome to phenome research will be enhanced by improvements in science education and communication both within and among working groups.Alternative electron pathways contribute to regulation of photosynthetic light reactions to adjust to metabolic demands in dynamic environments. The chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex mediates the cyclic electron transport pathway around photosystem I (PSI) in different cyanobacteria, algae and plant species, but it is not fully conserved in all photosynthetic organisms. In order to assess how this complex's physiological role changed during plant evolution, we isolated Physcomitrella patens lines knocked out of the NDHM gene that encodes for a subunit fundamental for the activity of the complex. ndhm knock-out (KO) mosses indicated high PSI acceptor side limitation upon abrupt changes in illumination. In P. patens, pseudo-cyclic electron transport mediated by Flavodiiron proteins (FLVs) was also shown to prevent PSI overreduction in plants exposed to light fluctuations. flva ndhm double KO mosses had altered photosynthetic performance and growth defects under fluctuating light compared to wild-type and single KO mutants. The results evidenced that while NDH contribution to electron transport is minor compared to FLV, NDH still participates in modulating photosynthetic activity, and it is critical to avoid PSI photoinhibition, especially when FLVs are inactive. Lonafarnib The functional overlap between NDH- and FLV-dependent electron transport supports PSI activity and prevents its photoinhibition under light variations.Retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas are difficult to treat due to their close proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Several surgical approaches with distinct advantages and limitations have been described to access these tumors, including extended transnasal endoscopic approach (ETEA), subtemporal, translamina terminalis, and transpetrosal approach.1-3 We present a 51-yr-old male with a large retrochiasmatic craniopharyngioma extending into the third ventricle, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a tumor cyst abutting the fornices expanding the space between two internal cerebral veins (ICV). After surgical consent, we decided to take advantage of this corridor to approach the tumor in its long axis. Surgical goal was to achieve cyst decompression with "safe maximal" resection of the solid component at last to preserve the pituitary function. Though the long axis of the tumor could be approached using ETEA, we preferred this approach in view of cyst decompression early in the surgery while completely avoiding risks such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, internal carotid artery (ICA) injury, and sinonasal complications.