The goal of this project is to generate the first comprehensive, high-density map of recombination in maize. The map will identify sites where recombination is initiated by formation of meiotic double-strand-breaks (DSBs) in chromosomal DNA as well as sites where recombination events are resolved into crossovers. It will allow elucidation of how the distribution of recombination events relates to local genome and chromatin features and will allow identification of factors that control the location and frequency of recombination events. This work will also further understanding of how recombination affects the structure of large and complex plant genomes.

Recombination is the main source of genetic variation in higher eukaryotes; it facilitates adaptation, purges deleterious mutations from genomes and populations, and is a major determinant of genome architecture. In addition, recombination is utilized as an unparalleled instrument of plant breeding. However, despite its importance, little is known about factors that affect the distribution of recombination events in plants and other higher eukaryotes. About one-fifth of maize genes are located in regions of highly reduced recombination rates. Developing ways to increase recombination in these regions will allow utilizing higher numbers of allele combinations in maize breeding programs, leading to more efficient breeding.

Project goals:

(I) Generate a map of sites in the maize genome where recombination is initiated by formation of meiotic double-strand-breaks (DSBs) in chromosomal DNA.

(II) Map at high-resolution the sites where recombination events are resolved into reciprocal chromosome exchanges (crossovers, COs).

(III) Relate the maps of DSB and CO distribution to local chromatin features.

Project participants:

Wojtek Pawlowski (Cornell University)

Changbin Chen (University of Minnesota)

Shahryar Kianian (USDA-ARS and University of Minnesota)

Jarek Pillardy (Cornell University)

Joann Mudge (National Center for Genome Resources)

Results

Publications

For more information, contact wp45@cornell.edu

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