Objectives

1. Identify novel loci regulating sulfur storage in maize seed via association mapping and QTL mapping by next-generation sequencing

2.Long-read sequence assembly gene annotation of the maize genome by using a single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing.

Backgrounds

1. A balanced composition of amino acids in seed flour is critical because of the demand on essential amino acids for nutrition. However, seed proteins in cereals like maize, the crop with the highest yield, are low in lysine, tryptophan, and methionine. Although supplementation with legumes like soybean can compensate lysine deficiency, both crops are also relatively low in methionine. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of methionine accumulation in the seed could be a basis for breeding cultivars with superior nutritional quality.

2. The accurate sequence and assembly of genomes is critical to our understanding of evolution and genetic variation. Despite advances in short-read sequencing technology that have decreased cost and increased throughput, whole-genome assembly of maize genomes remains problematic because of the presence of repetitive DNA.