연구실 소개 | Lab Introductions
우리 연구실의 주된 연구주제는 식물이 보유한 표현형적 활용범위에서 가장 최적화된 양적형질을 구현할 수 있는 새로운 유전자원을 개발하는 것이다. 식물의 적응과 육종과정에서 선택되는 유용형질은 자연에서 만들어진 유전적 다양성에서 기인하는데, 이들이 어떻게 작용하여 자연환경 또는 인간이 요구하는 환경에 가장 유용한 표현형으로 나타나는지 많은 유전연구가 보고 및 정리되고 있다. 이들 유용 유전형질들은 연속된 표현형질로 측정할 수 있는 “양적형질”로 설명 할 수 있는데, 가장 최적화된 양적형질을 이루기 위해서는 양적형질 결정인자의 발현양 조절, 단백질의 기능적 활성도 조절, 단백질 복합체의 활성도 조절을 구현할 수 있는 연구가 필요하며, 우리 연구실에서는 기능유전체 기반 유전자 가위 기술을 이용하여 해당연구를 수행하고 있다. 구체적으로 토마토, 고추, 감자 등과 같은 가지과 작물에서 수확성을 결정하는 양적인자들을 분리하고 그 기능을 규명하는 연구를 수행하고 있으며, 최신유전공학기술로 다양한 발현과 활성도를 가진 기능적 변이들을 개발하여 최적화된 수확성을 구현할 수 있는 유전변이들을 선발하는 연구를 활발히 진행하고 있다. 특히, 2017년에는 야생토마토의 작물화 과정에서 꽃받침 크기와 꽃대가지 발생을 조절하는 유전자를 밝히고 유전공학적으로 수확성을 조절하는 잡종강세 유전자 조합을 개발하였다. 우리 연구의 우수성은 2017년 Cell 지의 표지를 장식하기에 충분했다.
The main research topic of our laboratory is to develop a new genetic source based on phenotypic analysis that can be implemented to produce superior crop plants. To achieve the goal, we develop new genetic resources that can produce useful traits in plants which are screened by various range of phenotypic characteristics. Generally, the useful traits appeared during plant adaptation and breeding which originate from the genetic diversity created in nature. These useful genetic traits can be described as “quantitative traits” that can be studied by continously analyze the phenotypic traits and implement the beneficial traits to target crops.
Therefore, our laboratory is conducting the research using functional genome-based gene editing technology. Specifically, we are isolating quantitative factors that determine yield in solanaceous crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. We also conducting research to identify their functions, develop and optimized variants using the latest genetic engineering technology. We are actively conducting research to select genetic variants that can produce high yield. In particular, in 2017, genes that control calyx size and peduncle development during domestication of wild tomatoes were identified, and a hybrid gene combination that genetically controls yield was developed. The excellence of our research was featured as the cover of Cell Journal in 2017.
Recent research papers
We identified 47,470 unigenes of S. nigrum from three different tissues by de novo transcriptome assembly, and 78.4% of these genes were functionally annotated.
Comparison of the expression patterns of flavonoid biosynthetic genes showed that 9 out of 14 enzyme-coding genes were highly upregulated in the fruit of S. nigrum.
Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, we knocked out the R2R3-MYB transcription factor SnAN2 gene, an ortholog of S. lycopersicum ANTHOCYANIN 2.
The mutants showed yellow/green fruits, suggesting that SnAN2 plays a major role in anthocyanin synthesis in S. nigrum.
This study revealed the connection between gene expression regulation and corresponding phenotypic differences through comparative analysis between two closely related species and provided genetic resources for S. nigrum
We isolated three new sp alleles from the tomato germplasm that show modified determinate growth compared to sp-classic, including one allele that mimics the effect of sft heterozygosity.
Two deletion alleles eliminated functional transcripts and showed similar shoot termination, determinate growth, and yields as sp-classic. In contrast, amino acid substitution allele sp-5732 showed semi-determinate growth with more leaves and sympodial shoots on all shoots.
The newly discovered sp alleles are potentially valuable resources to quantitatively manipulate shoot growth and yield in determinate breeding programs, with sp-5732 providing an opportunity to develop semi-determinate field varieties with higher yields.
Rice cultivation needs extensive amounts of water and increased frequency of droughts and water scarcity has become a global concern for rice cultivation.
We characterized Loose Plant Architecture 1 (LPA1) in vasculature development, water transport, drought resistance, and grain yield.
Genetic combination of lpa1 with semi-dwarf mutant to offer the optimum rice architecture for more efficient water use.
Genetic combination of lpa1 with semi-dwarf mutant (dep1-ko or d2) offer optimal water supply and drought resistance without impacting grain-filling rates.
Our results show that water use, and transports can be genetically controlled by optimizing metaxylem vessel size and plant height, that can be use to enhance drought tolerance and offers the potential solution to face the more frequent harsh climate condition in the future.