Development of molecular inversion probes for soybean progeny genomic selection genotyping

Increasing rate of genetic gain for key agronomic traits through genomic selection requires the development of new molecular methods to run genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The main limitation of current methods is the cost is too high to screen breeding populations. Molecular inversion probes (MIPs) are a targeted genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method that could be used for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that is both cost-effective, high-throughput, and provides high data quality to screen breeder's germplasm for genomic selection. A 1K MIP SNP set was developed for soybean with uniformly distributed markers across the genome. The SNPs were selected to maximize the number of informative markers in germplasm being tested in soybean breeding programs located in the northern-central and middle-southern regions of the United States. The 1K SNP MIP set was tested on diverse germplasm and a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. Targeted sequencing with MIPs obtained an 85% enrichment for the targeted SNPs. The MIP genotyping accuracy was 93% overall, whereas homozygous call accuracy was 98% with <10% missing data. The accuracy of MIPs combined with its low per-sample cost makes it a powerful tool to enable genomic selection within soybean breeding programs.

Candidate Genes Modulating Reproductive Timing in Elite US Soybean Lines Identified in Soybean Alleles of Arabidopsis Flowering Orthologs With Divergent Latitude Distribution

Adaptation of soybean cultivars to the photoperiod in which they are grown is critical for optimizing plant yield. However, despite its importance, only the major loci conferring variation in flowering time and maturity of US soybean have been isolated. By contrast, over 200 genes contributing to floral induction in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana have been described. In this work, putative alleles of a library of soybean orthologs of these Arabidopsis flowering genes were tested for their latitudinal distribution among elite US soybean lines developed in the United States. Furthermore, variants comprising the alleles of genes with significant differences in latitudinal distribution were assessed for amino acid conservation across disparate genera to infer their impact on gene function. From these efforts, several candidate genes from various biological pathways were identified that are likely being exploited toward adaptation of US soybean to various maturity groups.

[Clinical aspects and problems of pigeon breast and funnel chest]

Chest wall protrusion and depression deformities, also known as funnel chest and pigeon chest, are nosologically a uniform entity. Our own histopathological studies revealed secondary changes, found likewise in arthroses, scolioses, aseptic osteonecroses and inflammatory processes, as well as changes found in so-called primary collagenous diseases of unknown aetiology. Investigation of the collagen metabolism did not disclose differences from the normal II-type collagen either qualitatively or quantitatively. The aetiology of funnel chest and pigeon chest can be defined as follows: A hereditary disturbance of metabolism results in weakening of the wall of the parasternal cartilage, effecting a deformation secondary to mechanical strain by respiration and growth. Psychocosmetic reasons are recognised as indication for operation. In our opinion, the optimal age for operation is the second to the sixth year of life. During 20 years, 765 patients were operated on at our hospital without lethality. Postoperative complications were pneumothorax (4%), pneumonia (2%), after bleeding (2%) and disturbed wound healing (7%). Late results 5 years following surgery were excellent in 57%, good in 27%, satisfactory in 10% and unsatisfactory in 6% of the cases, thus adding up to 84% good results.