全基因组关联分析实现水稻粒型自然变异的分子解析

Genome-wide Association Study Opens a Window to Molecular Dissection of Rice Grain Size

全基因组关联分析(GWAS)近年来被广泛应用于解析生物自然变异的遗传基础。但限于其遗传定位精度,在水稻(Oryza sativa)遗传学研究中,该方法尚无法取代传统的图位克隆法在克隆复杂性状调控基因中的作用。近期,中国科学家在应用GWAS等大数据来克隆控制水稻粒长和粒重等复杂性状的QTL方面取得了新突破。

High-throughput sequencing technologies bring us the genomics age, consequently facilitates genome-wide association studies （GWAS） of complex traits in crops. But GWAS has not yet been successful in detecting the genetic basis of phenotypic variations in rice due to limited mapping resolution. Recently, chinese scientists have cloned a QTL for rice grain length and weight using GWAS combining with functional investigations and propelled the molecular dissection of rice QTL from genetics to genomics. Their study provided us not only a model for investigating rice complex traits and evolutionary changes using ＂omics＂ resources but also a valuable gene for rice breeding.