Plant Study Finds Environmental Effects
Posted on: Friday, 20 July 2007, 15:10 CDT
A group of scientists led by German researcher Detlef Weigel has found that a specific species of plant has altered its genome in different environments.
Germany's Max Planck Society said Friday that the international research team found the environment had a drastic effect on the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana's genetic makeup.
The group studied strains of the plant species found in Asia, Africa, the United States and even the polar circle in their attempt to determine its genome patterns.
When compared to a reference genome of the species, the wild versions of the plant were nearly 4 percent different in the genetic design.
Included among the genetic changes was that every tenth gene in the wild plants had been altered to a point that it was deemed unable to perform its basic function.
Weigel said that his group's findings were not only unexpected, but could play a key role in understanding human genetics as well.
The insight that the DNA sequence of a single individual is by far not sufficient to understand the genetic potential of a species also fuels current efforts in human genetics, he said.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- Researchers Develop Process For 'Surgical' Plant Genetic Changes
- AE Biofuels Announces Plans to Construct a 75 Million Gallon Argentina Biodiesel Plant With DS Group
- New Species of Fish Found in Pacific 'Twilight Zone'
- Metso to Supply a Metal Recycling Plant to GDE Group in France
- Threatened Bird Species Nesting Site Found
- CORRECTED: Two frog species feared extinct found in Colombia
- Two Frog Species Feared Extinct Found in Colombia
- Dissidents Found: Group Believes Getting the Word Out is the Only Way to Stimulate Change
- New Species of Rodent Found in Laos
- Species-Threatening Snails Found in Colorado
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds