Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Andrew DeWoody, Avril M. Harder, Samarth Mathur, Janna R. Willoughby
Summary: The importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology cannot be overstated, as it is closely tied to evolutionary fitness and crucial for conservation efforts. In the Anthropocene, responsible management should prioritize the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations, individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ashley E. Sproles, Francis J. Fields, Tressa N. Smalley, Chau H. Le, Amr Badary, Stephen P. Mayfield
Summary: Expanding the molecular tools available for genetic engineering of microalgae can lead to higher product yields and accelerate the development of new microalgal bioproducts. Significant advances have been made in designing microalgal expression vectors, discovering genetic regulatory elements, optimizing transformation methods, and developing new strain improvement techniques.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andres Flores, Enrique Buendia Rodriguez, Tomas Pineda Ojeda, Eulogio Flores Ayala, Jorge Mendez-Gonzalez
Summary: Genetic conservation is vital for the future of forests, but they are facing various threats, as seen in Mexico's degradation of forest genetic resources over the past three decades due to deforestation. Despite being a center of pine diversity, Mexico's genetic conservation efforts are insufficient. By analyzing the species distribution at national and germplasm transfer zone levels, and evaluating them based on minimum conservation requirements and EUFORGEN indicators, we identified 13 to 15 genetic zones containing the target species. We established 173 areas for genetic conservation units, with 50% selected from areas with genetic information, 5% from seed stands, and 45% from natural forests. We also found that most forest reproductive materials are collected from seed stands, with limited use of seeds from breeding trials.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Romesh Kumar Salgotra, Bhagirath Singh Chauhan
Summary: Plant genetic resources (PGRs) are crucial for increasing farming resilience and profit and should be conserved for sustainable food security. The diversity of genetic resources, including landraces, wild relatives, and modern varieties, contributes to maintaining sustainable biodiversity and developing new crop varieties with desirable traits. Biotechnological tools, such as next-generation sequencing and gene banks, aid in the characterization and conservation of rare species, as well as the identification and transfer of novel genes for crop breeding. This article focuses on recent advancements in maintaining genetic resource diversity, conservation, and sustainable utilization for global food security.
Article
Plant Sciences
Keita Watanabe, Makoto Yaneshita, Tetsuo Denda, Masatsugu Yokota, Shun K. Hirota, Yoshihisa Suyama, Yoshihiko Tsumura
Summary: Anthropogenic activities can cause genetic disturbance in wild populations, affecting their local adaptation. In this study, the genetic structure of naturally distributed L. muscari in Japan was investigated, revealing three genetically distinct groups. These findings have important implications for reducing genetic disturbance in greening and gardening activities.
Review
Plant Sciences
Ravi B. Anjanappa, Wilhelm Gruissem
Summary: Plant transformation technology is crucial for functional genomics and crop genetic improvement, enabling the introduction of new traits and modification of existing ones. Despite its success, transformation remains a bottleneck due to the resistance of some crops. However, advances in genome editing and new transformation methods offer alternative approaches for recalcitrant crops.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Michelle R. Gaither, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Beth Davis, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Maryam Ghoojaei, Nan Himmelsbach, Ann E. Holmes, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney A. Weyand, Gideon S. Bradburd, Cynthia Riginos, Robert J. Toonen, Eric D. Crandall
Summary: Genomic data are being generated and archived rapidly, but a lack of spatiotemporal metadata poses challenges for genetic diversity monitoring. Only a small fraction of genomic datasets contain geographic coordinates and collection years, highlighting the need for streamlined data processes and updated policies to address the growing metadata gap.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henrik Thurfjell, Linda Laikre, Robert Ekblom, Sean Hoban, Per Sjogren-Gulve
Summary: The study highlights the importance of genetic diversity for species adaptability and survival, emphasizing the need for monitoring to ensure maintenance. Data showed that some species may have an effective population size, while information on remaining populations or historical range was available for only 20% of species. Additionally, genetic diversity in some species is being monitored using DNA-based methods.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hassan Mansour, Hameed Alsamadany, Zaki M. Al-Hasawi
Summary: A study found that Rhanterium epapposum Oliv., a medicinal shrub in the Arabian Peninsula, has low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among populations. The species is facing threats such as overcutting, overgrazing, and increasing human activities, which are exacerbated by climate change-induced aridification. The lack of gene migration among populations is causing a severe deficiency in genetic diversity. Measures such as seed banks, restoration of diminished populations, and monitoring and prevention of threats are urgently needed to protect and recover the remaining populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jinqiang Quan, Yongqing Li, Yonghui Yang, Tianliang Yang, Yuzhu Sha, Yuan Cai, Ting Jiao, Jianping Wu, Shengguo Zhao
Summary: The study analyzed the mtDNA D-loop sequences of 1163 Chinese indigenous cattle to determine their maternal origin and population genetic structure, prioritizing conservation evaluations based on a population genetic model. Three maternal origins or domestication events were identified among Chinese indigenous cattle, with various levels of genetic diversity and contributions to the richness of genetic resources. The research provides a scientific basis and effective evaluation methods for the protection of genetic resources of indigenous livestock varieties.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yukai Chen, Hai-Li Zhang, Li Zhang, Mir Muhammad Nizamani, Taoxiu Zhou, Haiyang Zhang, Tingting Liu
Summary: Hopea hainanensis is an endangered tree species found in Hainan Island, China and Northern Vietnam. Due to its high quality wood, it has been heavily exploited by humans, resulting in a decline in population size and habitat fragmentation. Researchers are currently studying the ecological factors and seed germination to understand its endangered status. However, there is a lack of systematic analysis on the genetic diversity of this species. Therefore, it is important to study the genetic diversity to provide a scientific basis for its conservation.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tatjana Weidner, Shiwani Agarwal, Severine Perian, Floriane Fusil, Gundula Braun, Jessica Hartmann, Els Verhoeyen, Christian J. Buchholz
Summary: This article provides detailed protocols for using receptor-targeted lentiviral vectors in humanized mouse models for gene delivery, including LVs generation, mouse humanization, and monitoring of targeted cell type conversion. By closely following the protocol, sufficient vector stock for genetic manipulation can be obtained, and the protocol can be easily adapted to LVs targeted to other types of receptors.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong Yan, Xiaojun Zhu, Yue Yu, Chao Li, Zhaoliang Zhang, Feng Wang
Summary: Plant genetic engineering plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by improving crop yield, quality, and resistance to stresses. Nanotechnology-based gene delivery systems show promising potential in plant genetic transformation, with high efficiency and good compatibility. However, challenges still exist for the broad application of nanomaterial-mediated gene delivery in plants.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Aletta Matshidiso Magoro, Bohani Mtileni, Khanyisile Hadebe, Avhashoni Zwane
Summary: This review focuses on the genetic diversity, conservation, and sustainable utilization of indigenous goat ecotypes in South Africa. The indigenous goats are valuable animal resources, as they can thrive in resource-limited production systems and challenging environmental conditions. However, there are gaps in the current knowledge, necessitating further research using genomics technologies to assess their genetic diversity and inform conservation strategies.
Review
Oncology
Fatemehsadat Mousavinasab, Ronika Karimi, Sima Taheri, Fatemeh Ahmadvand, Saameh Sanaaee, Sajad Najafi, Masood Soltani Halvaii, Alireza Haghgoo, Marzieh Zamany, Jamal Majidpoor, Mina Khosravifar, Mohammad Baniasadi, Mehrdad Talebi, Abolfazl Movafagh, Seyed Mohsen Aghaei-Zarch, Nastaran Khorram, Poopak Farnia, Kambiz Kalhor
Summary: Recent advancements in sequencing technology and analytical approaches have revealed the diverse and important roles of the gut microbiome in immune, neurological, and endocrine functions. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been linked to various inflammatory diseases, highlighting the potential for microbiome engineering as a solution for improving human health. This article provides an overview of traditional methods such as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), prebiotics, and probiotics, as well as experimental genetic approaches like Metagenomic Alteration of Gut microbiome by In situ Conjugation (MAGIC), Bacteriophage, and Conjugative plasmids in manipulating intestinal microbiota.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2023)