August 2009: GDCB Professor Thomas Peterson receives sponsored award from NSF

GDCB Professor Thomas Peterson has been awarded $1M from the National Science Foundation for his research project entitled, "Mechanism and Genetic Impacts of Transposon-Induced Duplications in Maize ".

Partial chromosome duplications (segmental duplications) are important contributors to the structure, function and diversity of plant and animal genomes. However, very little is known about how duplications are generated, and their immediate effects on gene expression and genetic recombination. Dr. Peterson and his research team will examine the potential role of transposable elements, or jumping genes, in generating segmental duplications. The project aim is to isolate and characterize a series of partial chromosome duplications in corn generated by Ac/Ds transposable elements.

This project research will provide significant new insight into the role of transposable elements in generating duplications, and the impact these duplications have on genetic recombination and gene expression. Research results may lead to significant advances in breeding of crop plants, which will improve agricultural efficiency and environmental sustainability.