In Nebraska, Nebraska TV reported that three professors at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to research microexons in sorghum, the fifth most globally produced cereal grain. Professor Chi Zhang explained that microexons, despite their small size, have been largely overlooked in research. “Even though they are extremely small, they directly affect protein sequences and functions because altering or omitting even one nucleotide in a gene can change entire protein sequence,” Zhang said.
The report noted that microexons, which contain up to 15 nucleotides, play a role in plant growth, health, and adaptation to environmental stresses such as heat and drought. Zhang and his team aim to use computers and lab tools to help agriculture develop stronger, resilient crops. “By understanding plant genes we can breed and engineer crops that grow better in heat, cold, or drought. This transcends sustainable agriculture productivity which is essential for our region’s economy and food supply,” Zhang said.
While other researchers are also working on improving crop resistance, Zhang highlighted the uniqueness of their approach. “Instead of looking at just one part of the problem we bring together genomics, biochemistry, computing, and environmental data and integrate them to study the biological system. This approach allows us to discover connections that would otherwise be missed using only one type of research,” he said.
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Category: Food & Agriculture
