Generation of stable engineered chromosomes in soybean

A system for engineering plant chromosomes has been developed to facilitate the introduction of novel genes into the plant genome. The system is based on the establishment of a unique genetic locus within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region of the host chromosome to provide a permissive environment for expression of the introduced genes of interest (GOI). The genetic locus can exist within an independent, fully functional "minichromosome" (MC) or as a segment of a modified host chromosome (termed Engineered Trait Locus or ETL). The site-specific integration of transgenes to the rDNA locus isolates them from other endogenous genes, an advantage over conventional transformation in which foreign genes are inserted randomly into the host genome. Furthermore, MCs or ETLs can confer stability and high expression of the transgenes, as demonstrated in mammalian systems. To evaluate this system in plants, several MC and ETL lines have been generated in soybean, an important crop used worldwide for protein and oil consumption. The characterization of a soybean line containing an MC demonstrates that 1) the MC is stable over multiple generations as well as in field conditions, 2) maintaining the MC has no adverse phenotypic consequences, and 3) the MC can provide high-level expression of the introduced GOI.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Supporting Advancement in Weather and Water Prediction in the Upper Colorado River Basin: The SPLASH Campaign

Water is a critical resource that causes significant challenges to inhabitants of the western United States. These challenges are likely to intensify as the result of expanding population and climate-related changes that act to reduce runoff in areas of complex terrain. To better understand the physical processes that drive the transition of mountain precipitation to streamflow, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has deployed suites of environmental sensors throughout the East River watershed of Colorado as part of the Study of Precipitation, the Lower Atmosphere, and Surface for Hydrometeorology (SPLASH). This includes surface-based sensors over a network of five different observing sites, airborne platforms, and sophisticated remote sensors to provide detailed information on spatiotemporal variability of key parameters. With a 2-yr deployment, these sensors offer detailed insight into precipitation, the lower atmosphere, and the surface, and support the development of datasets targeting improved prediction of weather and water. Initial datasets have been published and are laying a foundation for improved characterization of physical processes and their interactions driving mountain hydrology, evaluation and improvement of numerical prediction tools, and educational activities. SPLASH observations contain a depth and breadth of information that enables a variety of atmospheric and hydrological science analyses over the coming years that leverage collaborations between national laboratories, academia, and stakeholders, including industry