Evaluation on the morphology
of WT and yel-sdj mutant grains
“How is the mutant different from original wild-type?”
Mutations can be induced in rice to identify specific genes responsible for changes in the plant's characteristics. This process involves altering the rice's genetic makeup to observe how these changes affect traits such as growth, yield, or stress resistance. By comparing mutated rice with normal plants, scientists can pinpoint which genes influence particular attributes.
Project type
Research
Agriculture
Bioinformatics
Tool
Python
R studio
3D Slicer
Time
Dec. 2021 - Feb. 2022
Role
Third Author
Student Researcher
Work Type
Published Project
Overview
As a student researcher in the Crop Molecular Breeding laboratory, I engaged in a collaborative project under the guidance of Dr. Kim, focusing on identifying variations in the internal structure of rice mutants. My primary responsibilities encompassed conducting phenotyping of the internal structures, analyzing the resultant data, and contributing to part of the research paper by documenting the methodologies employed and the findings observed.
Introduction
Background:
Morphological and biochemical changes that occur during embryogenesis and seed development are vital for the survival and productivity of plants. These changes include alterations in the physical structure and chemical processes of the plant, which are essential for the successful growth and maturation of seeds, ultimately impacting the plant's ability to thrive and produce crops effectively.
Idea:
The novel yellowish-pericarp embryo lethal (yel) mutant of the japonica rice cultivar Sindongjin, named yel-sdj, has revealed significant morphological and biochemical changes crucial for plant development and crop productivity. The yel-sdj mutant exhibits distinct characteristics, including a yellowish pericarp and a black, non-viable embryo, differing significantly from the wildtype. To understand these changes and identify the underlying genetic factors, a series of phenotyping and biochemical tests were conducted. Additionally, micro-CT scanning was employed to investigate the internal structure of the rice, providing detailed insights into the anatomical alterations caused by the mutation.
Experiment
Phenotyping:
Micro-CT scanning was used to examine the rice at a micro-level, providing detailed images of its internal structure. The 3D Slicer program was then employed to segment and analyze these intricate internal structures,
especially focusing on the density and the airspace of the space between embryo and endosperm.
For more detailed phenotyping process, visit following.
Result
Statistic:
This data is presented as the average value (mean) with its variability indicated by the standard deviation (± SD).
In the yel-sdj mutant, the air space volume between the embryo and endosperm was significantly larger, about 12 times that of the wild type (WT). Furthermore, the yel-sdj mutant exhibited a higher embryo density and a more expansive area of endosperm adjacent to the scutellum (EAS) than the WT. These observations indicate that the increased formation of air space at the embryo-endosperm border contributes to the yel-sdj mutant embryo's ease of detachment from the kernel.
Discussion
In this study, we discovered that the yel-sdj mutant's embryo detaches easily from the kernel. Micro-CT scans showed that these mutant seeds have a much larger Endosperm Adjacent to Scutellum (EAS) area. While the exact role of the OsDET1 mutation in this process is not fully understood, it's likely that starch degradation or cell death in the EAS leads to its lower density, causing the starch granules and the tissues at the embryo-endosperm interface to loosen. As the seed matures and loses water, the embryo separates from the endosperm, creating an air space between them.
Understanding how OsDET1 impacts EAS formation could offer new insights into seed development, particularly how the embryo and endosperm interact in monocot plants, and enhance our knowledge of plant embryogenesis at the molecular level.
Takeaway
Reflecting on my graduate years, I often questioned the practical impact of my studies. Amidst these doubts, the research professor in my lab, Backki Kim, recognized my potential and invited me to contribute as the third author for his research. I was proud to be a part of Dr. Kim's project and it was an exciting moment to see my work being published for the first time.
Thorough research and open communication are critical for practical application of theory. This understanding, along with the satisfaction of making meaningful discoveries, has fueled my passion for impactful research. So, my ambition is to write more research papers that have an impact on both academia and the real world.
