The National Science Foundation granted more than $4.9 million to a project where the University of Arizona is the lead institution to use maize as a model to identify the gene networks that control endosperm development and function during the first eight to 10 days after pollination.

“Our goal for this research is to identify the genes that make the endosperm go from a single cell to the differentiated tissue that makes the storage products for the seed – protein, starch and oils,” said Brian Larkins, principal investigator and professor of plant sciences at the UA. “No one really knows what those genes are and what they do. Then we can go into various types of corn of different protein and starch quality and see if these genes are tied to those traits.”

The starchy endosperm in cereal grains supplies more than 50 percent of the calories in the human diet worldwide and serves as raw material for many industrial products. Yet not much is known about the earliest stages of the endosperm’s development, when critical genetic processes can influence a grain crop’s yield, nutritional content, milling properties and other traits that affect its biological and economic value.

Print this story Email this story Post a Comment ADVERTISEMENT

Most research has centered on the later stages of endosperm development. The earlier stages are more difficult to study because the developing kernel is so small.

In addition to the UA, scientists and students participating inthe research are at the University of Utah, Central Michigan University and New College of Florida.