Scientists led by James Schnable at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have teamed up with international collaborators to uncover a previously hidden layer of genetic regulation in maize. By pinpointing over 200,000 binding‑QTLs — regions where DNA variations act like molecular “dimmer knobs” — they’ve demonstrated how small differences in regulatory DNA can influence key traits such as drought tolerance, plant height, and flowering time.
By Troy Fedderson - University Communication and Marketing
In the heart of Husker Nation, Nebraska researchers are unlocking the “dimmer switch” hidden in corn DNA — bringing us closer to crops engineered for tougher, more productive fields.
Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez, a research assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture, checks on corn growing in an East Campus nursery plot used by the Schnable Lab team. (Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing)
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