Genetic Goldmine found in Atacama desert will feed the future

It’s not easy to live in Chile’s inhospitable Atacama desert: a harsh, unfriendly environment known for being the world’s driest non-polar desert. Despite the odds, life persists in these arid badlands, which have an agricultural history dating back thousands of years.

Identifying the processes underlying these improbable accomplishments is a mission that is more vital today than possibly ever before since it could disclose the secrets of growing food in a world that is increasing hotter and drier with each passing year.

Advertisement

In recent research, scientists have found the genetic underpinnings of a range of adaptations that allow plant life to flourish even in the severe conditions of the Atacama desert.

According to plant systems scientist Gloria Coruzzi of New York University, it is vital in an era of accelerating climate change to find the genetic foundation for improving crop productivity and resilience under dry and nutrient-poor circumstances.

Over ten years, Coruzzi and an international team of researchers studied Atacama plant life in 22 different locations across the desert terrain, both in situ and off-site, ferrying plant and soil samples were sent back to the lab, by freezing into liquid nitrogen to protect them for genome study.

In total, the transcriptomes of 32 of the desert’s most dominating plants were sequenced, and the results were compared to the transcriptomes of 32 closely similar species from other sites, none of which exhibited genetic adaptations to the Atacama Desert.

Coruzzi explains that the purpose was to utilize this evolutionary tree based on genome sequences to detect variations in amino acid sequences encoded in genes that enable the development of the Atacama plant’s adaption to arid environments.

The comparative approach is an example of what is known as phylogenomics has produced 265 positively selected genes, implying that they linked with mutations that may give benefits in the Atacama desert.

Advertisement

According to the researchers, 59 of these genes have been related to physiological and molecular mechanisms that might promote plant resilience under harsh environmental circumstances in Arabidopsis, one of the most studied model organisms in plant biology.

In other words, these positively selected genes in Atacama desert plants are already known to allow Arabidopsis to tolerate high UV and temperature stress, control floral growth and blooming time, aid in disease defense, and aid in water and nutrient intake.

That almost sounds like an evolutionary toolkit for how to survive as a plant in one of the most hostile environments on the planet, and the good news is that some of the same genetics can be found in food crop species as well, which means we might have a better idea of what crops to plant whereas the world warms, as well as how to breed, tweak, and future-proof them.

According to senior author and plant systems biologist Rodrigo Gutiérrez of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the research is directly relevant to regions around the world that are becoming drier, due to drought, extreme temperatures, and salt in water and soil being a significant threat to global food production.

Because several Atacama plants are closely related to staple crops like grains, beans, and potatoes, the candidate genes we discovered promise a genetic goldmine for engineering more robust crops, which is critical given our planet’s increasing desertification.

 

admin

Read More

Dubai Police: 7th Equestrian Winter Camp sets to launch

The Dubai Mounted Police has recently launched the seventh Equestrian Winter Camp, with the participation of 120 students from different nationalities.

Dubai Municipality Cracks Down on Neglected Vehicles Across Registration and Testing Centres

The campaign, which has already issued 68 vehicle clearance alerts, 38 posters, and 30 text messages, focuses on locations including Warsan, Qusais, Shamil Muhaisnah, and several others

Bahrain: WHO Office held Workshop on Climate change  

World Health Organization(WHO) recently hold workshop on “Impact assessment and adaptation to climate change” to discuss various strategies.

Recent

UAE Imposes Hefty Fines and Vehicle Impoundment for Reckless Driving

Traffic law violations in the UAE are met with severe penalties, including vehicle confiscation, legal summons, and potential prosecution. The authorities' commitment to road safety is evident in the consistent and robust enforcement of traffic laws across the country

Dubai Expo 2020 site to be changed into Expo City Dubai

The Dubai Expo 2020 site will be changed into the Expo City Dubai and soon open its doors to several new residents and businesses, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Monday, 20 June.

Abu Dhabi Named World’s Safest City for Ninth Consecutive Year in 2025

In 2025, Abu Dhabi remains the world’s safest city, topping a list of 382 cities. This achievement highlights the emirate's commitment to public safety, effective security strategies, and consistent crime prevention, maintaining its position since 2017
admin

Too Many Requests