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Mao A, Flassbeck S, Assländer J. Bias-reduced neural networks for parameter estimation in quantitative MRI. Magn Reson Med 2024; 92:1638-1648. [PMID: 38703042 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop neural network (NN)-based quantitative MRI parameter estimators with minimal bias and a variance close to the Cramér-Rao bound. THEORY AND METHODS We generalize the mean squared error loss to control the bias and variance of the NN's estimates, which involves averaging over multiple noise realizations of the same measurements during training. Bias and variance properties of the resulting NNs are studied for two neuroimaging applications. RESULTS In simulations, the proposed strategy reduces the estimates' bias throughout parameter space and achieves a variance close to the Cramér-Rao bound. In vivo, we observe good concordance between parameter maps estimated with the proposed NNs and traditional estimators, such as nonlinear least-squares fitting, while state-of-the-art NNs show larger deviations. CONCLUSION The proposed NNs have greatly reduced bias compared to those trained using the mean squared error and offer significantly improved computational efficiency over traditional estimators with comparable or better accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mao
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jakob Assländer
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Planchuelo-Gómez Á, Descoteaux M, Larochelle H, Hutter J, Jones DK, Tax CMW. Optimisation of quantitative brain diffusion-relaxation MRI acquisition protocols with physics-informed machine learning. Med Image Anal 2024; 94:103134. [PMID: 38471339 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2024.103134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion-relaxation MRI aims to extract quantitative measures that characterise microstructural tissue properties such as orientation, size, and shape, but long acquisition times are typically required. This work proposes a physics-informed learning framework to extract an optimal subset of diffusion-relaxation MRI measurements for enabling shorter acquisition times, predict non-measured signals, and estimate quantitative parameters. In vivo and synthetic brain 5D-Diffusion-T1-T2∗-weighted MRI data obtained from five healthy subjects were used for training and validation, and from a sixth participant for testing. One fully data-driven and two physics-informed machine learning methods were implemented and compared to two manual selection procedures and Cramér-Rao lower bound optimisation. The physics-informed approaches could identify measurement-subsets that yielded more consistently accurate parameter estimates in simulations than other approaches, with similar signal prediction error. Five-fold shorter protocols yielded error distributions of estimated quantitative parameters with very small effect sizes compared to estimates from the full protocol. Selected subsets commonly included a denser sampling of the shortest and longest inversion time, lowest echo time, and high b-value. The proposed framework combining machine learning and MRI physics offers a promising approach to develop shorter imaging protocols without compromising the quality of parameter estimates and signal predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Imaging Processing Laboratory, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jana Hutter
- Centre for Medical Engineering, Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Derek K Jones
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Chantal M W Tax
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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Mao A, Flassbeck S, Assländer J. Bias-Reduced Neural Networks for Parameter Estimation in Quantitative MRI. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2312.11468v3. [PMID: 38463512 PMCID: PMC10925387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To develop neural network (NN)-based quantitative MRI parameter estimators with minimal bias and a variance close to the Cramér-Rao bound. Theory and Methods We generalize the mean squared error loss to control the bias and variance of the NN's estimates, which involves averaging over multiple noise realizations of the same measurements during training. Bias and variance properties of the resulting NNs are studied for two neuroimaging applications. Results In simulations, the proposed strategy reduces the estimates' bias throughout parameter space and achieves a variance close to the Cramér-Rao bound. In vivo, we observe good concordance between parameter maps estimated with the proposed NNs and traditional estimators, such as non-linear least-squares fitting, while state-of-the-art NNs show larger deviations. Conclusion The proposed NNs have greatly reduced bias compared to those trained using the mean squared error and offer significantly improved computational efficiency over traditional estimators with comparable or better accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mao
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAIR), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAIR), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jakob Assländer
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAIR), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Assländer J, Gultekin C, Mao A, Zhang X, Duchemin Q, Liu K, Charlson RW, Shepherd TM, Fernandez-Granda C, Flassbeck S. Rapid quantitative magnetization transfer imaging: Utilizing the hybrid state and the generalized Bloch model. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1478-1497. [PMID: 38073093 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore efficient encoding schemes for quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) imaging with few constraints on model parameters. THEORY AND METHODS We combine two recently proposed models in a Bloch-McConnell equation: the dynamics of the free spin pool are confined to the hybrid state, and the dynamics of the semi-solid spin pool are described by the generalized Bloch model. We numerically optimize the flip angles and durations of a train of radio frequency pulses to enhance the encoding of three qMT parameters while accounting for all eight parameters of the two-pool model. We sparsely sample each time frame along this spin dynamics with a three-dimensional radial koosh-ball trajectory, reconstruct the data with subspace modeling, and fit the qMT model with a neural network for computational efficiency. RESULTS We extracted qMT parameter maps of the whole brain with an effective resolution of 1.24 mm from a 12.6-min scan. In lesions of multiple sclerosis subjects, we observe a decreased size of the semi-solid spin pool and longer relaxation times, consistent with previous reports. CONCLUSION The encoding power of the hybrid state, combined with regularized image reconstruction, and the accuracy of the generalized Bloch model provide an excellent basis for efficient quantitative magnetization transfer imaging with few constraints on model parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Assländer
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cem Gultekin
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Mao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Quentin Duchemin
- Laboratoire d'analyse et de mathématiques appliquées, Université Gustave Eiffel, Champs-sur-Marne, France
| | - Kangning Liu
- Center for Data Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert W Charlson
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy M Shepherd
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carlos Fernandez-Granda
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Data Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Assländer J, Mao A, Marchetto E, Beck ES, La Rosa F, Charlson RW, Shepherd TM, Flassbeck S. Unconstrained quantitative magnetization transfer imaging: disentangling T1 of the free and semi-solid spin pools. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2301.08394v3. [PMID: 36713253 PMCID: PMC9882584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Since the inception of magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, it has been widely assumed that Henkelman's two spin pools have similar longitudinal relaxation times, which motivated many researchers to constrain them to each other. However, several recent publications reported a T 1 s of the semi-solid spin pool that is much shorter than T 1 f of the free pool. While these studies tailored experiments for robust proofs-of-concept, we here aim to quantify the disentangled relaxation processes on a voxel-by-voxel basis in a clinical imaging setting, i.e., with an effective resolution of 1.24mm isotropic and full brain coverage in 12min. To this end, we optimized a hybrid-state pulse sequence for mapping the parameters of an unconstrained MT model. We scanned four people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and four healthy controls with this pulse sequence and estimated T 1 f ≈ 1.84 s and T 1 s ≈ 0.34 s in healthy white matter. Our results confirm the reports that T 1 s ≪ T 1 f and we argue that this finding identifies MT as an inherent driver of longitudinal relaxation in brain tissue. Moreover, we estimated a fractional size of the semi-solid spin pool of m 0 s ≈ 0.212 , which is larger than previously assumed. An analysis of T 1 f in normal-appearing white matter revealed statistically significant differences between individuals with MS and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Assländer
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI R), Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Mao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI R), Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Elisa Marchetto
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI R), Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Erin S Beck
- Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th Street, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - Francesco La Rosa
- Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th Street, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - Robert W Charlson
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 240 E 38th Street, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Timothy M Shepherd
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI R), Dept. of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 650 1st Avenue, New York, 10016, NY, USA
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Flassbeck S, Assländer J. Minimization of eddy current artifacts in sequences with periodic dynamics. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1067-1074. [PMID: 37994235 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To minimize eddy current artifacts in periodic pulse sequences with balanced gradient moments as, for example, used for quantitative MRI. THEORY AND METHODS Eddy current artifacts in balanced sequences result from large jumps in k-space. In quantitative MRI, one often samples some spin dynamics repeatedly while acquiring different parts of k-space. We swap individual k-space lines between different repetitions in order to minimize jumps in temporal succession without changing the overall trajectory. This reordering can be formulated as a traveling salesman problem and we tackle the discrete optimization with a simulated annealing algorithm. RESULTS Compared to the default ordering, we observe a substantial reduction of artifacts in the reconstructed images and the derived quantitative parameter maps. Comparing two variants of our algorithm, one that resembles the pairing approach originally proposed by Bieri et al., and one that minimizes all k-space jumps equally, we observe slightly lower artifact levels in the latter. CONCLUSION The proposed reordering scheme effectively reduces eddy current artifacts in sequences with balanced gradient moments. In contrast to previous approaches, we capitalize on the periodicity of the sampled signal dynamics, enabling both efficient k-space sampling and minimizing artifacts caused by eddy currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Flassbeck
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jakob Assländer
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Tolley SA, Brito LF, Wang DR, Tuinstra MR. Genomic prediction and association mapping of maize grain yield in multi-environment trials based on reaction norm models. Front Genet 2023; 14:1221751. [PMID: 37719703 PMCID: PMC10501150 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1221751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) is among the greatest challenges for maize breeding programs. Strong GEI limits both the prediction of genotype performance across variable environmental conditions and the identification of genomic regions associated with grain yield. Incorporating GEI into yield prediction models has been shown to improve prediction accuracy of yield; nevertheless, more work is needed to further understand this complex interaction across populations and environments. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) assess GEI in maize grain yield based on reaction norm models and predict hybrid performance across a gradient of environmental (EG) conditions and 2) perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and post-GWAS analyses for maize grain yield using data from 2014 to 2017 of the Genomes to Fields initiative hybrid trial. After quality control, 2,126 hybrids with genotypic and phenotypic data were assessed across 86 environments representing combinations of locations and years, although not all hybrids were evaluated in all environments. Heritability was greater in higher-yielding environments due to an increase in genetic variability in these environments in comparison to the low-yielding environments. GWAS was carried out for yield and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the highest magnitude of effect were selected in each environment for follow-up analyses. Many candidate genes in proximity of selected SNPs have been previously reported with roles in stress response. Genomic prediction was performed to assess prediction accuracy of previously tested or untested hybrids in environments from a new growing season. Prediction accuracy was 0.34 for cross validation across years (CV0-Predicted EG) and 0.21 for cross validation across years with only untested hybrids (CV00-Predicted EG) when compared to Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUPs) that did not utilize genotypic or environmental relationships. Prediction accuracy improved to 0.80 (CV0-Predicted EG) and 0.60 (CV00-Predicted EG) when compared to the whole-dataset model that used the genomic relationships and the environmental gradient of all environments in the study. These results identify regions of the genome for future selection to improve yield and a methodology to increase the number of hybrids evaluated across locations of a multi-environment trial through genomic prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A. Tolley
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Diane R. Wang
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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Singh D, Monga A, de Moura HL, Zhang X, Zibetti MVW, Regatte RR. Emerging Trends in Fast MRI Using Deep-Learning Reconstruction on Undersampled k-Space Data: A Systematic Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1012. [PMID: 37760114 PMCID: PMC10525988 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an essential medical imaging modality that provides excellent soft-tissue contrast and high-resolution images of the human body, allowing us to understand detailed information on morphology, structural integrity, and physiologic processes. However, MRI exams usually require lengthy acquisition times. Methods such as parallel MRI and Compressive Sensing (CS) have significantly reduced the MRI acquisition time by acquiring less data through undersampling k-space. The state-of-the-art of fast MRI has recently been redefined by integrating Deep Learning (DL) models with these undersampled approaches. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) comprehensively analyzes deep MRI reconstruction models, emphasizing the key elements of recently proposed methods and highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. This SLR involves searching and selecting relevant studies from various databases, including Web of Science and Scopus, followed by a rigorous screening and data extraction process using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. It focuses on various techniques, such as residual learning, image representation using encoders and decoders, data-consistency layers, unrolled networks, learned activations, attention modules, plug-and-play priors, diffusion models, and Bayesian methods. This SLR also discusses the use of loss functions and training with adversarial networks to enhance deep MRI reconstruction methods. Moreover, we explore various MRI reconstruction applications, including non-Cartesian reconstruction, super-resolution, dynamic MRI, joint learning of reconstruction with coil sensitivity and sampling, quantitative mapping, and MR fingerprinting. This paper also addresses research questions, provides insights for future directions, and emphasizes robust generalization and artifact handling. Therefore, this SLR serves as a valuable resource for advancing fast MRI, guiding research and development efforts of MRI reconstruction for better image quality and faster data acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilbag Singh
- Center of Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (A.M.); (H.L.d.M.); (X.Z.); (M.V.W.Z.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ravinder R. Regatte
- Center of Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (A.M.); (H.L.d.M.); (X.Z.); (M.V.W.Z.)
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Sethi M, Saini DK, Devi V, Kaur C, Singh MP, Singh J, Pruthi G, Kaur A, Singh A, Chaudhary DP. Unravelling the genetic framework associated with grain quality and yield-related traits in maize ( Zea mays L.). Front Genet 2023; 14:1248697. [PMID: 37609038 PMCID: PMC10440565 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1248697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Maize serves as a crucial nutrient reservoir for a significant portion of the global population. However, to effectively address the growing world population's hidden hunger, it is essential to focus on two key aspects: biofortification of maize and improving its yield potential through advanced breeding techniques. Moreover, the coordination of multiple targets within a single breeding program poses a complex challenge. This study compiled mapping studies conducted over the past decade, identifying quantitative trait loci associated with grain quality and yield related traits in maize. Meta-QTL analysis of 2,974 QTLs for 169 component traits (associated with quality and yield related traits) revealed 68 MQTLs across different genetic backgrounds and environments. Most of these MQTLs were further validated using the data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Further, ten MQTLs, referred to as breeding-friendly MQTLs (BF-MQTLs), with a significant phenotypic variation explained over 10% and confidence interval less than 2 Mb, were shortlisted. BF-MQTLs were further used to identify potential candidate genes, including 59 genes encoding important proteins/products involved in essential metabolic pathways. Five BF-MQTLs associated with both quality and yield traits were also recommended to be utilized in future breeding programs. Synteny analysis with wheat and rice genomes revealed conserved regions across the genomes, indicating these hotspot regions as validated targets for developing biofortified, high-yielding maize varieties in future breeding programs. After validation, the identified candidate genes can also be utilized to effectively model the plant architecture and enhance desirable quality traits through various approaches such as marker-assisted breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehak Sethi
- Division of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar Saini
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Veena Devi
- Division of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Charanjeet Kaur
- Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Mohini Prabha Singh
- Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Jasneet Singh
- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gomsie Pruthi
- Department of Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Amanpreet Kaur
- Division of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Alla Singh
- Division of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Dharam Paul Chaudhary
- Division of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
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