scholarly journals Tapping Diversity From the Wild: From Sampling to Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sariel Hübner ◽  
Michael B. Kantar

The diversity observed among crop wild relatives (CWRs) and their ability to flourish in unfavorable and harsh environments have drawn the attention of plant scientists and breeders for many decades. However, it is also recognized that the benefit gained from using CWRs in breeding is a potential rose between thorns of detrimental genetic variation that is linked to the trait of interest. Despite the increased interest in CWRs, little attention was given so far to the statistical, analytical, and technical considerations that should guide the sampling design, the germplasm characterization, and later its implementation in breeding. Here, we review the entire process of sampling and identifying beneficial genetic variation in CWRs and the challenge of using it in breeding. The ability to detect beneficial genetic variation in CWRs is strongly affected by the sampling design which should be adjusted to the spatial and temporal variation of the target species, the trait of interest, and the analytical approach used. Moreover, linkage disequilibrium is a key factor that constrains the resolution of searching for beneficial alleles along the genome, and later, the ability to deplete linked deleterious genetic variation as a consequence of genetic drag. We also discuss how technological advances in genomics, phenomics, biotechnology, and data science can improve the ability to identify beneficial genetic variation in CWRs and to exploit it in strive for higher-yielding and sustainable crops.

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1749) ◽  
pp. 5024-5028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Radwan ◽  
Wiesław Babik

The amount and nature of genetic variation available to natural selection affect the rate, course and outcome of evolution. Consequently, the study of the genetic basis of adaptive evolutionary change has occupied biologists for decades, but progress has been hampered by the lack of resolution and the absence of a genome-level perspective. Technological advances in recent years should now allow us to answer many long-standing questions about the nature of adaptation. The data gathered so far are beginning to challenge some widespread views of the way in which natural selection operates at the genomic level. Papers in this Special Feature of Proceedings of the Royal Society B illustrate various aspects of the broad field of adaptation genomics. This introductory article sets up a context and, on the basis of a few selected examples, discusses how genomic data can advance our understanding of the process of adaptation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1293-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Egan ◽  
Anne Muola ◽  
Johan A. Stenberg

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-74
Author(s):  
Luis Sangil

Technological advances have introduced changes in digital media business and funding models. Traditional “legacy” newspapers are reacting to the superior business performance of digital intermediaries such as Google and Facebook, which capture a big part of total digital advertising revenues. This work describes the change of focus of the Unidad Editorial, publisher of a set of leading digital newspapers in Spain, including elmundo.es. The company ceased perceiving other digital newspapers as its competitor and tried to learn from the advertising revenue models of major players in the digital arena. This study argues that the management of big data is deeply transforming legacy newspapers' advertising regime. Their advertising model is increasingly based on more sophisticated segmentation tools and programmatic advertising techniques. It finds that a strategy to attract revenue based on learning from competitive models of big platforms is efficient and logical. Hence, the ability to market the value of individual users in real-time is a key factor in the success of this model.


Crop Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma S. Mace ◽  
Alan W. Cruickshank ◽  
Yongfu Tao ◽  
Colleen H. Hunt ◽  
David R. Jordan

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. M. van de Wiel ◽  
T. Sretenović Rajičić ◽  
R. van Treuren ◽  
K. J. Dehmer ◽  
C. G. van der Linden ◽  
...  

Genetic variation in Lactuca serriola, the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce, was studied across Europe from the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, using three molecular marker systems, simple sequence repeat (SSR, microsatellites), AFLP and nucleotide-binding site (NBS) profiling. The ‘functional’ marker system NBS profiling, targeting disease resistance genes of the NBS/LRR family, did not show marked differences in genetic diversity parameters to the other systems. The autogamy of the species resulted in low observed heterozygosity and high population differentiation. Intra-population variation ranged from complete homogeneity to nearly complete heterogeneity. The highest genetic diversity was found in central Europe. The SSR results were compared to SSR variation screened earlier in the lettuce collection of the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN). In the UK, practically only a single SSR genotype was found. This genotype together with a few other common SSR genotypes comprised a large part of the plants sampled on the continent. Among the ten most frequent SSR genotypes observed, eight were already present in the CGN collection. Overall, the CGN collection appears to already have a fair representation of genetic variation from NW Europe. The results are discussed in relation to sampling strategies for improving genebank collections of crop wild relatives.


2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chu ◽  
C.S. Gao ◽  
P. De Barro ◽  
F.H. Wan ◽  
Y.J. Zhang

AbstractIt is often considered that reduced genetic variation due to bottlenecks and founder effects limits the capacity for species to establish in new environments and subsequently spread. The recent invasion (during the past five years) of an alien whitefly, one member of Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex, referred to as Mediterranean (herein referred to as Q-type) in Shandong Province, China, provides an ideal opportunity to study the changes in genetic variation between its home range in the Mediterranean region and its invasion range. Using both the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and nuclear (microsatellite) DNA, we show that Q in Shandong likely originated in the western Mediterranean. We also found that the haplotype diversity was low compared with its presumed geographic origin, whereas microsatellite allele diversity showed no such decline. A key factor in invasions is the establishment of females and so bottleneck and founder events can lead to a very rapid and considerable loss of mitochondrial diversity. The lack of haplotype diversity in Shandong supports the interpretation that, at one or more points between the western Mediterranean and China, the invading Q lost haplotype diversity, most probably through the serial process of establishment and redistribution through trade in ornamental plants. However, the loss in haplotype diversity does not necessarily mean that nuclear allelic diversity should also decline. Provided females can mate freely with whichever males are available, allelic diversity can be maintained or even increased relative to the origin of the invader. Our findings may offer some explanation to the apparent paradox between the concept of reduced genetic variation limiting adaptation to new environments and the observed low diversity in successful invaders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Beyene ◽  
Solomon W. Harrar ◽  
Mekibib Altaye ◽  
Tessema Astatkie ◽  
Tadesse Awoke ◽  
...  

Technological advances now make it possible to generate diverse, complex and varying sizes of data in a wide range of applications from business to engineering to medicine. In the health sciences, in particular, data are being produced at an unprecedented rate across the full spectrum of scientific inquiry spanning basic biology, clinical medicine, public health and health care systems. Leveraging these data can accelerate scientific advances, health discovery and innovations. However, data are just the raw material required to generate new knowledge, not knowledge on its own, as a pile of bricks would not be mistaken for a building. In order to solve complex scientific problems, appropriate methods, tools and technologies must be integrated with domain knowledge expertise to generate and analyze big data. This integrated interdisciplinary approach is what has become to be widely known as data science. Although the discipline of data science has been rapidly evolving over the past couple of decades in resource-rich countries, the situation is bleak in resource-limited settings such as most countries in Africa primarily due to lack of well-trained data scientists. In this paper, we highlight a roadmap for building capacity in health data science in Africa to help spur health discovery and innovation, and propose a sustainable potential solution consisting of three key activities: a graduate-level training, faculty development, and stakeholder engagement. We also outline potential challenges and mitigating strategies.


Author(s):  
Florent Ailloud ◽  
Iratxe Estibariz ◽  
Sebastian Suerbaum

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, spiral shaped bacterium that selectively and chronically infects the gastric mucosa of humans. The clinical course of this infection can range from lifelong asymptomatic infection to severe disease, including peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. The high mutation rate and natural competence typical of this species are responsible for massive inter-strain genetic variation exceeding that observed in all other bacterial human pathogens. The adaptive value of such a plastic genome is thought to derive from a rapid exploration of the fitness landscape resulting in fast adaptation to the changing conditions of the gastric environment. Nevertheless, diversity is also lost through recurrent bottlenecks and H. pylori’s lifestyle is thus a perpetual race to maintain an appropriate pool of standing genetic variation able to withstand selection events. Another aspect of H. pylori’s diversity is a large and variable repertoire of restriction-modification systems. While not yet completely understood, methylome evolution could generate enough transcriptomic variation to provide another intricate layer of adaptive potential. This review provides an up to date synopsis of this rapidly emerging area of H. pylori research that has been enabled by the ever-increasing throughput of Omics technologies and a multitude of other technological advances.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Manish Puri ◽  
Zachary Dau ◽  
Aparna S. Varde

The Coronavirus pandemic is one of the most devastating encounters in modern times. Over 175 million cases have been recorded globally with over 3.5 million deaths. Disseminating information to billions of people during the pandemic has been challenging, and social media has been one of the key resources for the public during these excruciating circumstances. Social media and other online sources have made it easier to access information on a variety of topics. This article presents an exploration of social media trends pertinent to information on the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of several technological advances, as well as methods for evaluating their effectiveness in combating COVID-19. We examine global case studies on the use of data from various sources to tackle COVID-19, address the issue of trust between the government and the public, and shed light on the manner in which it influences the public perception of information. We delve into the role of advances in web technology and data science in curbing COVID-19 while also touching upon the impacts in the field of smart living and healthcare. We examine studies from regions around the world, explore how the pandemic has affected people from different walks of life, and peek into the utilization of advances for disseminating information as well as curbing the spread of the virus. Additionally, we briefly discuss how the works investigated here can open pathways of research to help in further enhancing the situation as we all head towards the light at the end of the tunnel, and strive to restore global normalcy.


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