The giant faba bean genome finally sequenced
Vicia faba L., commonly referred to as “faba bean” or “broad bean”, is known for its protein-rich seeds and its yield potential in agriculture. It is used for human consumption as well as for animal feed. It also provides much needed ecosystem services in the context of the transition to more sustainable farming systems. In particular, it is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and acquire nutrients through beneficial interactions with soil bacteria or fungi, thus reducing the need for fertilisers.
Reconstructing the genome sequence of faba bean was a challenge as it consists of 13 billion nucleobases, at least 4 times larger than the human genome. The genetic information in faba bean is carried on only 6 pairs of chromosomes. Chromosome 1 (the longest) alone is the size of the 23 chromosomes in the human genome combined.
Recent advances in sequencing techniques have made it possible to obtain a high-quality assembly despite the richness of this genome in transposable elements, highly repeated and similar DNA sequences. An imbalance in the rates of amplification and elimination of some of these repeats has in fact been identified as the cause of the expansion in the size of the faba bean genome.
Through quantitative genetic approaches and mining of genome data, the consortium has for the first time identified the genes controlling traits of interest in this legume, such as seed size.
This now available new resource opens up new research prospects, in particular by comparing legume genomes with each other. In a context of high demand for plant proteins and changes in agricultural practices, it will also facilitate varietal selection for traits related to these issues.
Journal: Nature
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05791-5
Article Title: The giant diploid faba genome unlocks variation in a global protein crop
Article Publication Date: 8-Mar-2023
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry
Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.
Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.
Newest articles
Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions
A four-legged robot trained with machine learning by EPFL researchers has learned to avoid falls by spontaneously switching between walking, trotting, and pronking – a milestone for roboticists as well…
Innovation promises to prevent power pole-top fires
Engineers in Australia have found a new way to make power-pole insulators resistant to fire and electrical sparking, promising to prevent dangerous pole-top fires and reduce blackouts. Pole-top fires pose…
Possible alternative to antibiotics produced by bacteria
Antibacterial substance from staphylococci discovered with new mechanism of action against natural competitors. Many bacteria produce substances to gain an advantage over competitors in their highly competitive natural environment. Researchers…