25th Annual Student Research Conference
Bioinformatic analysis of the intra-genomic evolution of retained homeologous paralogs in maize
Aubrey A. Crowley*, Avinash Karn, Michael J. Pierro, Kyle S. Smith, Joshua B. Wilson, and Lauren Choate
Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentor
The sequence of the maize reference genome was reported in 2009. However, the maize genetics community is continually working to describe the structure and function of the genome and agrees that undergraduates should have a role in such efforts. This project attempted to create a model undergraduate genome annotation community. An examination of approximately eight million base pairs of the maize genome was conducted using bioinformatic tools including: genome browsers (MaizeGDB and MaizeSequence.org), gene expression databases (PlexDB), protein functional prediction software (InterProScan) and comparative genome platforms (CoGe). Presently, we are evaluating the consistency of the functional annotations with the balanced gene drive model and exhibition of subgenome bias in the retention/decay, gene density, and expression patterns of homeologous paralog pairs. We conclude that maize genomic analyses offer an outstanding opportunity for undergraduates to learn about comparative genomics and genome evolution.
Keywords: synteny, Maize, genome, annotation
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 112-1
Location: MG 1098
Time: 8:00