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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Author Spotlight: Improved Methods for Preparing Transverse Sections and Unrolled Whole Mounts of Maize Leaf Primordia for Fluorescence and Confocal Imaging

Published on: September 22, 2023

Genome evolution in maize: from genomes back to genes.

James C Schnable¹

¹Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583;

Annual Review of Plant Biology

|December 11, 2014

Summary

Maize, a vital grain crop and model plant genetics system, reveals that fewer genes significantly impact traits than previously thought. Syntenic conservation is a key, underemphasized marker for gene function.

Keywords:

Poaceae comparative genomics gene content genome evolution maize

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Published on: July 29, 2019

Area of Science:

Plant genetics
Genomics
Quantitative genetics

Background:

Maize (Zea mays) is a globally significant grain crop, providing essential calories worldwide.
It serves as a foundational model organism in plant genetics and cytogenetics research.
Extensive genetic studies in maize offer insights into gene-phenotype relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the characteristics of genes influencing phenotypes in maize.
To differentiate functionally significant genes from other genomic sequences.
To evaluate the role of syntenic conservation in identifying gene function.

Main Methods:

Analysis of historical genetic data in maize.
Integration of modern genomic and quantitative genetic datasets.
Comparative analysis of gene sequences and their phenotypic effects.

Main Results:

The number of genes with substantial phenotypic impact may be lower than current molecular definitions suggest.
Many plant genome sequences are not easily distinguishable by molecular data alone.
Syntenic conservation is an underutilized indicator of gene function.

Conclusions:

Re-evaluation of gene definitions in plants is needed based on functional impact.
Syntenic conservation offers a valuable, yet underemphasized, approach for functional genomics in maize and other plants.