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Getting the Point—Mutations in Maize
Author(s) -
Weil Clifford F.,
Monde RitaAnn
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2006.09.0563tpg
Subject(s) - tilling , biology , germplasm , genetics , genetic diversity , genome , locus (genetics) , inbred strain , reverse genetics , gene , point mutation , zea mays , microbiology and biotechnology , plant genetics , mutation , botany , agronomy , population , demography , sociology
Point mutations are important tools for understanding gene functions and genetic interactions, as well as for identifying neomorphs. The Maize Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) Project has been established to provide reverse genetics resources that can screen ethyl methonyl sulfonate (EMS)–mutagenized populations of maize ( Zea mays L.) for individuals carrying point mutations in virtually any gene in the genome. In addition, a variation on TILLING, EcoTILLING, can be used on Maize Diversity Lines to gauge how much genetic diversity is present in maize germplasm at any given locus. The maize populations developed for TILLING, in the B73 and W22 inbred lines, also serve as an excellent and publicly available forward genetics resource.