Mendel: From genes to genome

Abstract

Two hundred years after the birth of Gregor Mendel, it is an appropriate time to reflect on recent developments in the discipline of genetics, particularly advances relating to the prescient friar’s model species, the garden pea (Pisum sativum L.). Mendel’s study of seven characteristics established the laws of segregation and independent assortment. The genes underlying four of Mendel’s loci (A, LE, I and R) have been characterised at the molecular level for over a decade. However, the three remaining genes, influencing pod colour (GP), pod form (V/P) and the position of flowers (FA/FAS), have remained elusive for a variety of reasons, including a lack of detail regarding the loci with which Mendel worked. Here we discuss potential candidate genes for these characteristics, in light of recent advances in the genetic resources for pea. These advances, including the pea genome sequence and reverse-genetics techniques, have revitalised pea as an excellent model species for physiological-genetic studies. We also discuss the issues that have been raised with Mendel’s results, such as the recent controversy regarding the discrete nature of the characters that Mendel chose and the perceived overly-good fit of his segregations to his hypotheses. We also consider the relevance of these controversies to his lasting contribution. Finally, we discuss the use of Mendel’s classical results to teach and enthuse future generations of geneticists, not only regarding the core principles of the discipline, but also its history and the role of hypothesis testing.

Cell‐layer specific roles for gibberellins in nodulation and root development

“…Torsdag background. DR5::GUS ‐tagged segregants that were homozygous for Mendel's LE gene ( PsGA3ox1 ; Sussmilch et al ., 2022) were selected in the third and fourth generations. The supernodulating Psnark (P88) mutant (Sagan & Duc, 1996) and the corresponding WT Frisson and GA 1 ‐overproducing sln mutant and corresponding WT SLN (Reid et al ., 1992) were also used.…”

As the world turns: scientific publishing in the digital era

“…The first is the pervasive but implicit role of reader trust and confidence in scientific publishing. Peer reviewers recognize that certain practices, like fraudulent results or plagiarism are unacceptable, although science historians have long known that great scientists did not always live up to today's standards (the controversy over Mendel's experimental data is a good example [12]). But there is much in otherwise proper papers that rarely gets thoroughly examined.…”

Грегор Мендель І Його Роль У Розвитку Генетичної Науки: До 200-Річчя Від Дня Народження

“…Лише на початку XX ст., з розвитком уявлень про гени і після того як кілька інших вчених незалежно один від одного заново відкрили вже виведені Менделем закони успадкування, наукова спільнота усвідомила всю важливість зроблених ним висновків. Тому далі варто навести спрощений хронологічний ланцюжок, який ілюструє розвиток наукової думки від менделівських дослідів з горохом до сучасних здобутків генетики -загальної генетики, геноміки [9] і навіть синтетичної біології [10] Вивчення теоретичних питань генетики, власне генетичні дослідження, в Україні розпочалися у 20-х роках ХХ ст. [38].…”