Brachypodium: 20 years as a grass biology model system; the way forward?

Robert Hasterok*, Pilar Catalan, Samuel P. Hazen, Anne C. Roulin, John P. Vogel, Kai Wang, Luis A.J. Mur

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Articlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)
101 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

It has been 20 years since Brachypodium distachyon was suggested as a model grass species, but ongoing research now encompasses the entire genus. Extensive Brachypodium genome sequencing programmes have provided resources to explore the determinants and drivers of population diversity. This has been accompanied by cytomolecular studies to make Brachypodium a platform to investigate speciation, polyploidisation, perenniality, and various aspects of chromosome and interphase nucleus organisation. The value of Brachypodium as a functional genomic platform has been underscored by the identification of key genes for development, biotic and abiotic stress, and cell wall structure and function. While Brachypodium is relevant to the biofuel industry, its impact goes far beyond that as an intriguing model to study climate change and combinatorial stress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1002-1016
Number of pages15
JournalTrends in Plant Science
Volume27
Issue number10
Early online date14 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Brachypodium
  • cell wall
  • environmental adaptation
  • genome and karyotype structure and evolution
  • model grass genus
  • polyploid speciation

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