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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4

Dynamic QTL mapping for plant height in the hybrid population of Agropyron Gaertn.

Abstract Plant height (PH) plays a very important role for plant breeding and also serves as a model trait to dynamic development study. The dynamic quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for PH of Agropyron Gaertn. was carried out in a cross‐pollination (CP) hybrid population of A. Gaertn. based on the phenotypic data of PH at different developmental stages in four year‐sites and the constructed single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic map. The results showed that 69 QTL and nine major QTL were detected by unconditional QTL mapping. A total of 107 QTL and 13 major QTL were found using conditional QTL mapping. Forty‐seven QTL were detected by two methods. Two unconditional QTL, Qph2‐5 and Qph3‐4, were expressed as major and stable QTL for PH. Four major stable conditional QTL for PH, cQph4‐1 , cQph4‐8, cQph6‐2 and cQph6‐7 , were detected. Two conditional PH QTL, cQph3‐5 and cQPh3‐7 , were identified in four environments over multiple stages. The gene/QTL controlling PH was expressed in a certain spatiotemporal manner. These results could also provide a reference for genetic and breeding research of related plant.

Che, Yonghe↗

Analysis of the ARTIC Version 3 and Version 4 SARS-CoV-2 Primers and Their Impact on the Detection of the G142D Amino Acid Substitution in the Spike Protein

The ARTIC Network provides a common resource of PCR primer sequences and recommendations for amplifying SARS-CoV-2 genomes. The initial tiling strategy was developed with the reference genome Wuhan-01, and subsequent iterations have addressed areas of low amplification and sequence drop out. Recently, a new version (V4) was released, based on new variant genome sequences, in response to the realization that some V3 primers were located in regions with key mutations. Herein, we compare the performance of the ARTIC V3 and V4 primer sets with a matched set of 663 SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples sequenced with an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 instrument. We observe general improvements in sequencing depth and quality, and improved resolution of the SNP causing the D950N variation in the spike protein. Importantly, we also find nearly universal presence of spike protein substitution G142D in Delta-lineage samples. Due to the prior release and widespread use of the ARTIC V3 primers during the initial surge of the Delta variant, it is likely that the G142D amino acid substitution is substantially underrepresented among early Delta variant genomes deposited in public repositories. In addition to the improved performance of the ARTIC V4 primer set, this study also illustrates the importance of the primer scheme in downstream analyses.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The landscape of regulatory element evolution in a C4 perennial grass

Gene regulatory evolution is a well-known source of phenotypic diversity and adaptive evolution. Although cis-regulatory elements (CREs) play a vital role in gene expression evolution, the molecular evolution of CREs remains mostly unknown due to the difficulty in identifying and characterizing these functional elements. Comparative genomic analyses of noncoding DNA can be leveraged to identify conserved noncoding sequences (CNS), many of which may harbor functional CREs conserved by purifying selection. However, purely computational inference of CREs from putative CNS can be erroneous due to the complex genomic architecture in plants. One promising experimental approach to identify CREs is by profiling accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) that are often associated with the location of CREs. In this study, we use comparative genomics along with the profiling of ACRs to study the molecular evolution of putative functional noncoding regulatory regions in Panicoid grasses. We identified sets of CNS that varied in relationship to the degree of evolutionary divergence among the studied taxa, including identifying core-Panicoid-CNS. We augmented this analysis by profiling ACRs in Panicum hallii ecotypes using ATAC-seq. ACRs had low SNP density at the summit, harbored a high frequency of core-Panicoid-CNS, and were enriched with expression QTL. These data help to annotate the P. hallii genome for putative functional elements and suggest that a large proportion of these ACRs are evolving under purifying selection. Turnover in CNS and ACR between ecotypes of P. hallii identifies a small set of putatively divergent CREs that may underlie differences in gene regulation between genotypes from inland and coastal habitats. In summary, we profiled ACRs in Panicoid grasses and integrated this data with our putative CNS prediction framework, which provides unique insight into patterns of polymorphism and divergence in CREs in C4 perennial grasses.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Plastome evolution in annual Brachypodium species reveals widespread heteroplasmy and chloroplast capture, lineage-specific codon usage bias, and low positive selection

Comparative genomics and plastome phylogenomics have advanced significantly in recent years, highlighting the diversity, possible admixture, and non-neutral evolution of the predominantly considered non-recombinant chloroplast genomes in angiosperms. The grass genus Brachypodium serves as a powerful model for studying evolutionary processes in monocots. We analyzed 287 plastomes across the native circum-Mediterranean range of the three annual Brachypodium species ( B. distachyon, B. stacei, B. hybridum ), focusing on their structural variation, selection patterns and phylogenomic relationships. Our analyses confirmed the differentiation of the S and D plastomes, inherited respectively from the diploid progenitor species B. stacei and B. distachyon . We identified novel structural rearrangements and indels, and unique repeat motifs, along with widespread heteroplasmy, particularly in ancestral B. hybridum -D plastotypes. SNP diversity varied among plastotypes, reflecting population dynamics and evolutionary histories, with B. hybridum -D plastotypes showing the highest normalized diversity and B. hybridum -S the lowest. Positive selection was detected in 29 plastid genes by Tajima’s neutrality test, and in nine genes by site and branch-site evolutionary models, including matK, ndhF, rbcL, and rpoC2. Phylogenomic analyses revealed well-supported clades corresponding to the S and D plastome lineages, with frequent chloroplast capture events and long-distance dispersals shaping their evolutionary trajectories.

allopolyploidy↗

Improving precision and accuracy of genetic mapping with genotyping-by-sequencing data in outcrossing species

This dataset contains all data and supplementary materials from "Improving precision and accuracy of genetic mapping with genotyping-by-sequencing data in outcrossing species". An Excel file a list of all QTLs and linkage group length (in cM) obtained with two different SNP-calling methods (Tassel-Uneak and Tassel-GBS), genetic map-construction method (linkage-only and reference order-corrected) and depth filters (12x, 20x, 30x and 40x) for genetic mapping of 18 biomass yield traits in a biparental Miscanthus sinensis population using RAD-Seq SNPs is provided as "Supplementary file 1". A Perl script with the code for filtering VCF and HapMap-formatted data files is provided as “Supplementary file 2”. Phenotype data used for QTL mapping is provided as “Supplementary File 3”. A Perl script with the code for the simulation study is provided as “Supplementary file 4”.

GenotypingSimulator↗

Impact of genotype-calling methodologies on genome-wide association and genomic prediction in polyploids

This dataset contains all data used in the paper "Impact of genotype-calling methodologies on genome-wide association and genomic prediction in polyploids". The dataset includes genotypes and phenotypic data from two autotetraploid species Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Vaccinium corymbosum that was used used for genome wide association studies and genomic prediction and the scripts used in the analysis. In this V2, 2 files have the raw data are added: "Miscanthus_sacchariflorus_RADSeq.vcf" is the VCF file with the raw SNP calls of the Miscanthus sacchariflorus data used for genotype calling using the 6 genotype calling methods. "Blueberry_data_read_depths.RData" is the a RData file with the read depth data that was used for genotype calling in the Blueberry dataset.

allelic dosage↗

Removal of correlated background in a high-order harmonic transient absorption spectra with principal component regression

We demonstrate a 40x mean noise power reduction (NPR) in core-to-valence extreme ultraviolet (XUV) femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with a high harmonic generation (HHG) light source. An adaptive iteratively reweighted principal component regression (airPCR) is used to analyze and suppress spectrally correlated HHG intensity fluctuations. The technique requires significantly less user input and leads to a higher mean NPR than a previously introduced edge-pixel PCR method that relies on the manual identification of signal-free spectral regions. Both techniques are applied in a time-resolved XUV absorption study of the 2 snp 1 P o ( n ≥ 2) autoionizing Rydberg states of helium, demonstrating sub-10 −3 optical density sensitivity.

Faccialà, Davide (ORCID:0000000250720394)↗

Genomic Dissection of Anthracnose ( Colletotrichum sublineolum ) Resistance Response in Sorghum Differential Line SC112-14

Sorghum production is expanding to warmer and more humid regions where its production is being limited by multiple fungal pathogens. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum , is one of the major diseases in these regions, where it can cause yield losses of both grain and biomass. In this study, 114 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from resistant sorghum line SC112-14 were evaluated at four distinct geographic locations in the United States for response to anthracnose. A genome scan using a high-density linkage map of 3,838 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected two loci at 5.25 and 1.18 Mb on chromosomes 5 and 6, respectively, that explain up to 59% and 44% of the observed phenotypic variation. A bin-mapping approach using a subset of 31 highly informative RILs was employed to determine the disease response to inoculation with ten anthracnose pathotypes in the greenhouse. A genome scan showed that the 5.25 Mb region on chromosome 5 is associated with a resistance response to nine pathotypes. Five SNP markers were developed and used to fine map the locus on chromosome 5 by evaluating 1,500 segregating F 2:3 progenies. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of 11 recombinants, the locus was narrowed down to a 470-kb genomic region. Following a genome-wide association study based on 574 accessions previously phenotyped and genotyped, the resistance locus was delimited to a 34-kb genomic interval with five candidate genes. All five candidate genes encode proteins associated with plant immune systems, suggesting they may act in synergy in the resistance response.

Genetics & Heredity↗

Options for Subscale Maturation of Advanced Reactor Technologies Testing for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

Several options could be implemented to establish an irradiation testing capability suitable for investigation of the performance of multiple nuclear thermal propulsion fuel elements at prototypic conditions. The prototypic conditions of interest are based on the current needs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Space Nuclear Power Program. The results of such testing are also intended to reduce the risks currently seen for any future subscale or full-scale ground testing of an engine-reactor system. The optimal solution is dependent upon several factors such as performance, cost, availability, schedule, technology readiness level, and plans for future testing in the SNP Program. Three options, based on different combinations of these factors, are considered in this report.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Genetics and Genomics of Pathogen Resistance in Switchgrass (Final Report)

This project was funded by DOE under Grant no. DE-SC0016108. Originally approved for the 2016-2019 period, two no-cost extensions were solicited and approved, which prolonged the lifespan through July 2021. This final report informs on the results obtained so far from the research implemented. The research hinged on integrating genomics (genomic selection, RNAseq, virus-plant interactions) with classical genetics (conventional breeding) to incorporate durable resistance to fungal (rust) and viral (mosaic) diseases in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) populations being bred for bioenergy. Higher biomass yield, higher quality (low lignin content), and durable disease resistance are key features to make lignocellulosic switchgrass feedstocks economically competitive and sustainable. Genomic selection is being applied on three generations of a switchgrass population derived from crossing two ecotypes (Kanlow as lowland female and Summer as upland male) with differential performance in terms of biomass yield and quality, disease resistance, and winter survivability. Target populations were screened for rust and mosaic in field and/or lab and phenotyped for biomass yield and quality traits. Genetic analyses were applied across generations to capture the joint inheritance of the targeted traits and predict breeding values for parents and progeny with greater accuracy. Parental and a panel of different switchgrass populations were genotyped with the DArTseq technology to develop SNP (0, 1, 2) and in-silico (presence/absence) DArT markers. Rust inoculations techniques were developed and applied successfully on switchgrass. The original populations (Kanlow and Summer) were sequenced with RNAseq to capture the gene expression profiles across sequential time-points and appraise the basis of greater resistance in the Kanlow vs the Summer ecotype. Constructs of PMV and sPMV mosaic virus were assembled and tested first on proso millet to find the best protocol to use later on switchgrass. Results from the preliminary analyses indicate that 1) ample additive genetic variation is available for selection and improving this inter-ecotypic population for yield, quality, and disease traits, 2) significant gains are to be expected with the genetic correlations being favorable between yield and lignin content and between yield and disease ratings, 3) substantial differences exist in the genetic regions controlling rust resistance in the two ecotypes, 4) co-infection with PMV isolates from Nebraska and its satellite from Kansas elicit severe mosaic symptoms, and 5) two different genetic systems are responsible for imparting resistance to rust and virus in switchgrass.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Geographic_Distribution_of_Populus_trichocarpa_Genotypes_by_DBSCAN_Cluster

Aninteractive mapshowingPopulus trichocarpaGWAS sub-population structure identified by DBSCAN clustering, which were derived from a UMAP projection of the top 8 PCs of LD-pruned pangenome SNP data. Geographic origins are searchable by genotype or river system using the search bar.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Population Genetics of Sugar Kelp Throughout the Northeastern United States Using Genome-Wide Markers

An assessment of genetic diversity of marine populations is critical not only for the understanding and preserving natural biodiversity but also for its commercial potential. As commercial demand rises for marine resources, it is critical to generate baseline information for monitoring wild populations. Furthermore, anthropogenic stressors on the coastal environment, such as warming sea temperatures and overharvesting of wild populations, are leading to the destruction of keystone marine species such as kelps. In this study, we conducted a fine-scale genetic analysis using genome-wide high-density markers on Northwest Atlantic sugar kelp. The population structure for a total of 149 samples from the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Southern New England (SNE) was investigated using AMOVA, FST, admixture, and PCoA. Genome-wide association analyses were conducted for six morphological traits, and the extended Lewontin and Krakauer (FLK) test was used to detect selection signatures. Our results indicate that the GOM region is more heterogeneous than SNE. These two regions have large genetic difference (between-location FST ranged from 0.21 to 0.32) and were separated by Cape Cod, which is known to be the biogeographic barrier for other taxa. We detected one significant SNP (P = 2.03 × 10 -7 ) associated with stipe length, and 248 SNPs with higher-than-neutral differentiation. The findings of this study provide baseline knowledge on sugar kelp population genetics for future monitoring, managing and potentially restoring wild populations, as well as assisting in selective breeding to improve desirable traits for future commercialization opportunities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Circulating levels of micronutrients and risk of osteomyelitis: a Mendelian randomization study

Background Few observational studies have investigated the effect of micronutrients on osteomyelitis, and these findings are limited by confounding and conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the association between blood levels of eight micronutrients (copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin E) and the risk of osteomyelitis. Methods We performed the two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) to investigate causation, where instrument variables for the predictor (micronutrients) were derived from the summary data of micronutrients from independent cohorts of European ancestry. The outcome instrumental variables were used from the summary data of European-ancestry individuals ( n = 486,484). The threshold of statistical significance was set at p < 0.00625. Results We found a significant causal association that elevated zinc heightens the risk of developing osteomyelitis in European ancestry individuals OR = 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) [1.07, 1.43]; p = 4.26E-03]. Similarly, vitamin B6 showed a similar significant causal effect on osteomyelitis as a risk factor OR = 2.78 (95% CI [1.34, 5.76]; p = 6.04E-03; in the secondary analysis). Post-hoc analysis suggested this result (vitamin B6). However, the multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) provides evidence against the causal association between zinc and osteomyelitis OR = 0.98(95% CI [−0.11, 0.07]; p = 7.20E-1). After searching in PhenoScanner, no SNP with confounding factors was found in the analysis of vitamin B6. There was no evidence of a reverse causal impact of osteomyelitis on zinc and vitamin B6. Conclusion This study supported a strong causal association between vitamin B6 and osteomyelitis while reporting a dubious causal association between zinc and osteomyelitis.

Zhang, Xu↗

Root Pulling Force Across Drought in Maize Reveals Genotype by Environment Interactions and Candidate Genes

High-throughput, field-based characterization of root systems for hundreds of genotypes in thousands of plots is necessary for breeding and identifying loci underlying variation in root traits and their plasticity. We designed a large-scale sampling of root pulling force, the vertical force required to extract the root system from the soil, in a maize diversity panel under differing irrigation levels for two growing seasons. We then characterized the root system architecture of the extracted root crowns. We found consistent patterns of phenotypic plasticity for root pulling force for a subset of genotypes under differential irrigation, suggesting that root plasticity is predictable. Using genome-wide association analysis, we identified 54 SNPs as statistically significant for six independent root pulling force measurements across two irrigation levels and four developmental timepoints. For every significant GWAS SNP for any trait in any treatment and timepoint we conducted post hoc tests for genotype-by-environment interaction, using a mixed model ANOVA. We found that 8 of the 54 SNPs showed significant GxE. Candidate genes underlying variation in root pulling force included those involved in nutrient transport. Although they are often treated separately, variation in the ability of plant roots to sense and respond to variation in environmental resources including water and nutrients may be linked by the genes and pathways underlying this variation. While functional validation of the identified genes is needed, our results expand the current knowledge of root phenotypic plasticity at the whole plant and gene levels, and further elucidate the complex genetic architecture of maize root systems.

Woods, Patrick↗

Enhanced Salt Tolerance of Torreya grandis Genders Is Related to Nitric Oxide Level and Antioxidant Capacity

Nitric oxide (NO), a bioactive molecule, is often involved in the regulation of physiological and biochemical processes in stressed plants. However, the effects of NO donors on dioecious plants remain unclear. Using a pot experiment, female and male Torreya grandis were used to study the role of sex and NO in salt stress tolerance. In the present study, female and male T. grandis seedlings pretreated with an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) were exposed to salt stress, and then leaf relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, NO and glutathione levels, oxidative damage, and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated. Female T. grandis plants had better tolerance to salinity, as they were characterized by significantly higher RWC, pigment content, and photochemical activities of photosystem II (PSII) and fewer negative effects associated with higher nitrate reductase (NR) activity and NO content. Pretreatment with an NO donor further increased the endogenous NO content and NR activity of both female and male T. grandis plants compared with salt treatment. Moreover, pretreatment with an NO donor alleviated salt-induced oxidative damage of T. grandis , especially in male plants, as indicated by reduced lipid peroxidation, through an enhanced antioxidant system, including proline and glutathione accumulation, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. However, the ameliorating effect of the NO donor was not effective in the presence of the NO scavenger (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-name). In conclusion, enhanced salt tolerance in T. grandis plants is related to nitric oxide levels and the supply of NO donors is an interesting strategy for alleviating the negative effect of salt on T. grandis . Our data provide new evidence to contribute to the current understanding of NO-induced salt stress tolerance.

Liu, Yang↗

Genetic diversity, population structure and anthracnose resistance response in a novel sweet sorghum diversity panel

Sweet sorghum is an attractive feedstock for the production of renewable chemicals and fuels due to the readily available fermentable sugars that can be extracted from the juice, and the additional stream of fermentable sugars that can be obtained from the cell wall polysaccharides in the bagasse. An important selection criterion for new sweet sorghum germplasm is resistance to anthracnose, a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum sublineolum. The identification of novel anthracnose-resistance sources present in sweet sorghum germplasm offers a fast track towards the development of new resistant sweet sorghum germplasm. We established a sweet sorghum diversity panel (SWDP) of 272 accessions from the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm (NPGS) collection that includes landraces from 22 countries and advanced breeding material, and that represents ~15% of the NPGS sweet sorghum collection. Genomic characterization of the SWDP identified 171,954 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with an average of one SNP per 4,071 kb. Population structure analysis revealed that the SWDP could be stratified into four populations and one admixed group, and that this population structure could be aligned to sorghum’s racial classification. Results from a two-year replicated trial of the SWDP for anthracnose resistance response in Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico showed 27 accessions to be resistant across locations, while 145 accessions showed variable resistance response against local pathotypes. A genome-wide association study identified 16 novel genomic regions associated with anthracnose resistance. Four resistance loci on chromosomes 3, 6, 8 and 9 were identified against pathotypes from Puerto Rico, and two resistance loci on chromosomes 3 and 8 against pathotypes from Texas. In Georgia and Florida, three resistance loci were detected on chromosomes 4, 5, 6 and four on chromosomes 4, 5 (two loci) and 7, respectively. One resistance locus on chromosome 2 was effective against pathotypes from Texas and Puerto Rico and a genomic region of 41.6 kb at the tip of chromosome 8 was associated with resistance response observed in Georgia, Texas, and Puerto Rico. This publicly available SWDP and the extensive evaluation of anthracnose resistance represent a valuable genomic resource for the improvement of sorghum.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗