Academic literature on the topic 'Variation (biology)'

The fruit surface (exocarp) is a unique tissue with multiple roles influencing fruit growth and development, disease susceptibility, crop yield, post-harvest treatments, shipping and storage quality, and food safety. Furthermore, highly visible exocarp traits are the consumer's first exposure to the fruit, serving to identify fruit type, variety, attractiveness, and market value. Cucurbit fruit, including the closely related Cucumis species, melon (C. melo) and cucumber (C. sativus), exhibit tremendous diversity for fruit surface properties that are not present in model species. In this project, we identified genetic factors influencing Cucumis fruit surface morphology with respect to important quality determinants such as exocarp and flesh color, cuticle deposition, and surface netting. We employed a combination of approaches including: genome-wide association studies (GWAS) utilizing an extensive melon population and the U.S. Plant Introduction (PI) collection for cucumber to identify genomic regions associated with natural variation in fruit surface traits; bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR-seq) analysis of bi-parental F2:3 or RIL (recombinant inbred line) populations to genomic regions and candidate genes segregating for fruit surface traits; and comparison of syntenic genomic regions and identification of homologous candidate genes. Candidate genes were examined for sequence and/or expression differences during fruit development that correspond with phenotypic differences. Primary outcomes of the work included identification of candidate genes influencing cuticle deposition, epidermal cell structure, surface netting, and intensity of rind and flesh color. Parallel studies identified mutations within the cucumber and melon homologs of the transcription factor WIN1 (WAX INDUCER1) as a significant factor influencing these surface properties. Additional QTL (quantitative trait loci) were identified in both species, and candidate genes in melon include a novel beta-glucosidase involved in lignin production and an integral membrane protein potentially involved in cuticle metabolism. Genetic resources and biochemical approaches have been developed to study cuticle and wax deposition in both species: segregating populations of melon were developed and sequenced for bulked segregant analysis and samples collected for metabolic analysis; an isolation procedure was developed for lipid droplets from cucumber peel and metabolomic analyses have been initiated. Genetic studies in melon identified mutations in a candidate gene (APRR2), associated with light immature rind, and further indicated that this gene is also associated with color intensity of both mature rinds and flesh, making it a good target for breeding. GWAS studies utilizing the cucumber core diversity population are being performed to identify additional sources of variation for fruit surface properties, map QTL, and examine for synteny with melon. Collectively these studies identified genetic regions associated with important quality traits and contributed to our understanding of underlying biological processes associated with fruit surface development. Knowledge of genetic control of these characteristics can facilitate more efficient breeding for important fruit surface traits.

Despite the rapid increase in reliance on bumble bees for food production and security, there are many critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of bumble bee biology that limit their colony production, commercial management, and pollination services. Our project focuses on the social, endocrine, and molecular processes regulating body size in the two bumble bee species most important to agriculture: Bombus terrestris in Israel, and B. impatiens in the USA. Variation in body size underline both caste (queen/worker) differentiation and division of labor among workers (foragers are typically larger than nest bees), two hallmarks of insect sociality which are also crucial for the commercial rearing and crop pollination services of bumble bees. Our project has generated several fundamental new insights into the biology of bumble bees, which can be integrated into science-based management strategies for commercial pollination. Using transcriptomic and behavioral approaches we show that in spite of high flexibility, task performance (brood care or foraging) in bumble bee colonies is associated with physiological variation and differential brain gene expression and RNA editing patterns. We further showed that interactions between the brood, the queen, and the workers determine the developmental program of the larva. We identified two important periods. The first is a critical period during the first few days after hatching. Larvae fed by queens during this period develop over less days, are not likely to develop into gynes, and commonly reach a smaller ultimate body size compared to workers reared mostly or solely by workers. The facial exocrine (mandibular and hypopharangeal) glands are involved in this queen effect on larva development. The second period is important for determining the ultimate body size which is positively regulated by the number of tending workers. The presence of the queen during this stage has little, if at all, influence. We further show that stressors such as agrochemicals that interfere with foraging or brood care specific processes can compromise bumble bee colony development and their pollination performance. We also developed new technology (an RFID system) for automated collection of foraging trip data, for future deployment in agroecosystems. In spite of many similarities, our findings suggest important differences between the Eurasian model species (B. terrestris) and the North American model species (B. impatiens) that impact how management strategies translate across the two species. For example, there is a similar influence of the queen on offspring body size in both species, but this effect does not appear to be mediated by development time in B. impatiens as it is in B. terrestris. Taken together, our collaboration highlights the power of comparative work, to show that considerable differences that exist between these two key pollinator species, and in the organization of young bumble bee nests (wherein queens provide the majority of care and then transition away from brood care) relative to later stages of nest development.

Heterosis, the enigmatic phenomenon in which whole genome heterozygous hybrids demonstrate superior fitness compared to their homozygous parents, is the main cornerstone of modern crop plant breeding. One explanation for this non-additive inheritance of hybrids is interaction of alleles within the same locus. This proposal aims at screening, identifying and investigating heterosis trait loci (HTL) for different yield traits by implementing a novel integrated mapping approach in Sorghum bicolor as a model for other crop plants. Originally, the general goal of this research was to perform a genetic dissection of heterosis in a diallel built from a set of Sorghum bicolor inbred lines. This was conducted by implementing a novel computational algorithm which aims at associating between specific heterozygosity found among hybrids with heterotic variation for different agronomic traits. The initial goals of the research are: (i) Perform genotype by sequencing (GBS) of the founder lines (ii) To evaluate the heterotic variation found in the diallel by performing field trails and measurements in the field (iii) To perform QTL analysis for identifying heterotic trait loci (HTL) (iv) to validate candidate HTL by testing the quantitative mode of inheritance in F2 populations, and (v) To identify candidate HTL in NAM founder lines and fine map these loci by test-cross selected RIL derived from these founders. The genetic mapping was initially achieved with app. 100 SSR markers, and later the founder lines were genotyped by sequencing. In addition to the original proposed research we have added two additional populations that were utilized to further develop the HTL mapping approach; (1) A diallel of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that was tested for heterosis of doubling time, and (2) a recombinant inbred line population of Sorghum bicolor that allowed testing in the field and in more depth the contribution of heterosis to plant height, as well as to achieve novel simulation for predicting dominant and additive effects in tightly linked loci on pseudooverdominance. There are several conclusions relevant to crop plants in general and to sorghum breeding and biology in particular: (i) heterosis for reproductive (1), vegetative (2) and metabolic phenotypes is predominantly achieved via dominance complementation. (ii) most loci that seems to be inherited as overdominant are in fact achieving superior phenotype of the heterozygous due to linkage in repulsion, namely by pseudooverdominant mechanism. Our computer simulations show that such repulsion linkage could influence QTL detection and estimation of effect in segregating populations. (iii) A new height QTL (qHT7.1) was identified near the genomic region harboring the known auxin transporter Dw3 in sorghum, and its genetic dissection in RIL population demonstrated that it affects both the upper and lower parts of the plant, whereas Dw3 affects only the part below the flag leaf. (iv) HTL mapping for grain nitrogen content in sorghum grains has identified several candidate genes that regulate this trait, including several putative nitrate transporters and a transcription factor belonging to the no-apical meristem (NAC)-like large gene family. This activity was combined with another BARD-funded project in which several de-novo mutants in this gene were identified for functional analysis.

The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act (England) aims to develop a science-based process for the regulation and authorisation of precision bred organisms (PBOs). PBOs are created by genetic technologies but exhibit changes which could have occurred through traditional processes. This current review, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), aims to clarify existing terminologies, explore viable methods for the detection, identification, and quantification of products of precision breeding techniques, address and identify potential solutions to the analytical challenges presented, and provide recommendations for working towards an infrastructure to support detection of precision bred products in the future. The review includes a summary of the terminology in relation to analytical approaches for detection of precision bred products. A harmonised set of terminology contributes towards promoting further understanding of the common terms used in genome editing. A review of the current state of the art of potential methods for the detection, identification and quantification of precision bred products in the UK, has been provided. Parallels are drawn with the evolution of synergistic analytical approaches for the detection of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), where molecular biology techniques are used to detect DNA sequence changes in an organism’s genome. The scope and limitations of targeted and untargeted methods are summarised. Current scientific opinion supports that modern molecular biology techniques (i.e., quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)) have the technical capability to detect small alterations in an organism’s genome, given specific prerequisites of a priori information on the DNA sequence of interest and of the associated flanking regions. These techniques also provide the best infra-structure for developing potential approaches for detection of PBOs. Should sufficient information be known regarding a sequence alteration and confidence can be attributed to this being specific to a PBO line, then detection, identification and quantification can potentially be achieved. Genome editing and new mutagenesis techniques are umbrella terms, incorporating a plethora of approaches with diverse modes of action and resultant mutational changes. Generalisations regarding techniques and methods for detection for all PBO products are not appropriate, and each genome edited product may have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The application of modern molecular biology techniques, in isolation and by targeting just a single alteration, are unlikely to provide unequivocal evidence to the source of that variation, be that as a result of precision breeding or as a result of traditional processes. In specific instances, detection and identification may be technically possible, if enough additional information is available in order to prove that a DNA sequence or sequences are unique to a specific genome edited line (e.g., following certain types of Site-Directed Nucelase-3 (SDN-3) based approaches). The scope, gaps, and limitations associated with traceability of PBO products were examined, to identify current and future challenges. Alongside these, recommendations were made to provide the infrastructure for working towards a toolkit for the design, development and implementation of analytical methods for detection of PBO products. Recognition is given that fully effective methods for PBO detection have yet to be realised, so these recommendations have been made as a tool for progressing the current state-of-the-art for research into such methods. Recommendations for the following five main challenges were identified. Firstly, PBOs submitted for authorisation should be assessed on a case-by-case basis in terms of the extent, type and number of genetic changes, to make an informed decision on the likelihood of a molecular biology method being developed for unequivocal identification of that specific PBO. The second recommendation is that a specialist review be conducted, potentially informed by UK and EU governmental departments, to monitor those PBOs destined for the authorisation process, and actively assess the extent of the genetic variability and mutations, to make an informed decision on the type and complexity of detection methods that need to be developed. This could be further informed as part of the authorisation process and augmented via a publicly available register or database. Thirdly, further specialist research and development, allied with laboratory-based evidence, is required to evaluate the potential of using a weight of evidence approach for the design and development of detection methods for PBOs. This concept centres on using other indicators, aside from the single mutation of interest, to increase the likelihood of providing a unique signature or footprint. This includes consideration of the genetic background, flanking regions, off-target mutations, potential CRISPR/Cas activity, feasibility of heritable epigenetic and epitranscriptomic changes, as well as supplementary material from supplier, origin, pedigree and other documentation. Fourthly, additional work is recommended, evaluating the extent/type/nature of the genetic changes, and assessing the feasibility of applying threshold limits associated with these genetic changes to make any distinction on how they may have occurred. Such a probabilistic approach, supported with bioinformatics, to determine the likelihood of particular changes occurring through genome editing or traditional processes, could facilitate rapid classification and pragmatic labelling of products and organisms containing specific mutations more readily. Finally, several scientific publications on detection of genome edited products have been based on theoretical principles. It is recommended to further qualify these using evidenced based practical experimental work in the laboratory environment. Additional challenges and recommendations regarding the design, development and implementation of potential detection methods were also identified. Modern molecular biology-based techniques, inclusive of qPCR, dPCR, and NGS, in combination with appropriate bioinformatics pipelines, continue to offer the best analytical potential for developing methods for detecting PBOs. dPCR and NGS may offer the best technical potential, but qPCR remains the most practicable option as it is embedded in most analytical laboratories. Traditional screening approaches, similar to those for conventional transgenic GMOs, cannot easily be used for PBOs due to the deficit in common control elements incorporated into the host genome. However, some limited screening may be appropriate for PBOs as part of a triage system, should a priori information be known regarding the sequences of interest. The current deficit of suitable methods to detect and identify PBOs precludes accurate PBO quantification. Development of suitable reference materials to aid in the traceability of PBOs remains an issue, particularly for those PBOs which house on- and off-target mutations which can segregate. Off-target mutations may provide an additional tool to augment methods for detection, but unless these exhibit complete genetic linkage to the sequence of interest, these can also segregate out in resulting generations. Further research should be conducted regarding the likelihood of multiple mutations segregating out in a PBO, to help inform the development of appropriate PBO reference materials, as well as the potential of using off-target mutations as an additional tool for PBO traceability. Whilst recognising the technical challenges of developing and maintaining pan-genomic databases, this report recommends that the UK continues to consider development of such a resource, either as a UK centric version, or ideally through engagement in parallel EU and international activities to better achieve harmonisation and shared responsibilities. Such databases would be an invaluable resource in the design of reliable detection methods, as well as for confirming that a mutation is as a result of genome editing. PBOs and their products show great potential within the agri-food sector, necessitating a science-based analytical framework to support UK legislation, business and consumers. Differentiating between PBOs generated through genome editing compared to organisms which exhibit the same mutational change through traditional processes remains analytically challenging, but a broad set of diagnostic technologies (e.g., qPCR, NGS, dPCR) coupled with pan-genomic databases and bioinformatics approaches may help contribute to filling this analytical gap, and support the safety, transparency, proportionality, traceability and consumer confidence associated with the UK food chain.

ABSTRACT Postharvest losses of fresh produce are estimated globally to be around 30%. Reducing these losses is considered a major solution to ensure global food security. Storage at low temperatures is an efficient practice to prolong postharvest performance of crops with minimal negative impact on produce quality or human health and the environment. However, many fresh produce commodities are susceptible to chilling temperatures, and the application of cold storage is limited as it would cause physiological chilling injury (CI) leading to reduced produce quality. Further, the primary CI becomes a preferred site for pathogens leading to decay and massive produce losses. Thus, chilling sensitive crops should be stored at higher minimal temperatures, which curtails their marketing life and in some cases necessitates the use of other storage strategies. Development of new knowledge about the biological basis for chilling tolerance in fruits and vegetables should allow development of both new varieties more tolerant to cold, and more efficient postharvest storage treatments and storage conditions. In order to improve the agricultural performance of modern crop varieties, including tomato, there is great potential in introgression of marker-defined genomic regions from wild species onto the background of elite breeding lines. To exploit this potential for improving tomato fruit chilling tolerance during postharvest storage, we have used in this research a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the red-fruited tomato wild species SolanumpimpinellifoliumL. accession LA2093 and an advanced Solanum lycopersicumL. tomato breeding line NCEBR-1, developed in the laboratory of the US co-PI. The original specific objectives were: 1) Screening of RIL population resulting from the cross NCEBR1 X LA2093 for fruit chilling response during postharvest storage and estimation of its heritability; 2) Perform a transcriptopmic and bioinformatics analysis for the two parental lines following exposure to chilling storage. During the course of the project, we learned that we could measure greater differences in chilling responses among specific RILs compared to that observed between the two parental lines, and thus we decided not to perform transcriptomic analysis and instead invest our efforts more on characterization of the RILs. Performing the transcriptomic analysis for several RILs, which significantly differ in their chilling tolerance/sensitivity, at a later stage could result with more significant insights. The RIL population, (172 lines), was used in field experiment in which fruits were examined for chilling sensitivity by determining CI severity. Following the field experiments, including 4 harvest days and CI measurements, two extreme tails of the response distribution, each consisting of 11 RILs exhibiting either high sensitivity or tolerance to chilling stress, were identified and were further examined for chilling response in greenhouse experiments. Across the RILs, we found significant (P < 0.01) correlation between field and greenhouse grown plants in fruit CI. Two groups of 5 RILs, whose fruits exhibited reproducible chilling tolerant/sensitive phenotypes in both field and greenhouse experiments, were selected for further analyses. Numerous genetic, physiological, biochemical and molecular variations were investigated in response to postharvest chilling stress in the selected RILs. We confirmed the differential response of the parental lines of the RIL population to chilling stress, and examined the extent of variation in the RIL population in response to chilling treatment. We determined parameters which would be useful for further characterization of chilling response in the RIL population. These included chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm, water loss, total non-enzymatic potential of antioxidant activity, ascorbate and proline content, and expression of LeCBF1 gene, known to be associated with cold acclimation. These parameters could be used in continuation studies for the identification and genetic mapping of loci contributing to chilling tolerance in this population, and identifying genetic markers associated with chilling tolerance in tomato. Once genetic markers associated with chilling tolerance are identified, the trait could be transferred to different genetic background via marker-assisted selection (MAS) and breeding. The collaborative research established in this program has resulted in new information and insights in this area of research and the collaboration will be continued to obtain further insights into the genetic, molecular biology and physiology of postharvest chilling tolerance in tomato fruit. The US Co-PI, developed the RIL population that was used for screening and measurement of the relevant chilling stress responses and conducted statistical analyses of the data. Because we were not able to grow the RIL population under field conditions in two successive generations, we could not estimate heritability of response to chilling temperatures. However, we plan to continue the research, grow the RIL progeny in the field again, and determine heritability of chilling tolerance in a near future. The IS and US investigators interacted regularly and plan to continue and expand on this study, since combing the expertise of the Co-PI in genetics and breeding with that of the PI in postharvest physiology and molecular biology will have great impact on this line of research, given the significant findings of this one-year feasibility project.

The purpose of this publication is to summarize the state of knowledge on the effects of environmental variability and climate change for individual species and stocks based on literature review, giving species-climate information for 32 key taxa in Swedish marine and coastal waters. The report is written in English. The extent and scale of recent changes in climate due to global warming is unprecedented and causes increasing effects on ecosystems. In oceans, ongoing warming leads to, for example, increased water temperatures, decreased ice cover and effects on hydrology and water circulation patterns that can in turn influence salinity. The environmental alterations affect species distribution, biology, and hence also the delivery of marine ecosystem services and human well-being. The results of this review on the effects of environmental variability and climate change on marine taxa are presented as species-climate information sheets designed in a user-friendly format aimed to enhance accessibility for professionals spanning different fields and roles, including e.g. scientific experts, NGOs affiliates and managers. The species-climate information sheets presented here cover 32 key taxa selected among the economically and ecologically most important coastal and marine fish and crustacean species in Swedish waters. The species-wise evaluations show that climate change leads to a wide range of effects on fish, reflecting variations in their biology and physiological tolerances. The review also highlights important data and knowledge gaps for each species and life stage. Despite the high variability and prevailing uncertainties, some general patterns appeared. On a general level, most fish species in Swedish marine and coastal waters are not expected to benefit from climate change, and many risks are identified to their potential for recruitment, growth and development. Boreal, marine and cold-adapted species would be disadvantaged at Swedish latitudes. However, fish of freshwater origin adapted to warmer temperature regimes could benefit to some extent in the Baltic Sea under a warming climate. Freshwater fish could also be benefitted under further decreasing salinity in the surface water in the Baltic Sea. The resulting effects on species will not only depend on the physiological responses, but also on how the feeding conditions for fish, prey availability, the quality of essential fish habitats and many other factors will develop. A wide range of ecological factors decisive for the development of fish communities are also affected by climate change but have not been explored here, where we focused on the direct effects of warming. The sensitivity and resilience of the fish species to climate change will also depend on their present and future health and biological status. Populations exposed to prolonged and intense fishing exploitation, or affected by environmental deterioration will most likely have a lower capacity to cope with climate change effects over time. For both the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, it is important to ensure continued work to update and improve the species-climate information sheets as results from new research become available. It can also be expected that new important and relevant biological information and improved climate scenarios will emerge continuously. Continued work is therefore important to update and refine the species-climate information sheets, help filling in currently identified knowledge gaps, and extend to other species not included here. Moreover, there is need to integrate this type of species-level information into analyses of the effects of climate change at the level of communities and ecosystems to support timely mitigation and adaptation responses to the challenges of the climate change.