Entries by Anastasia Kolesnikova

No need for shuffling: Sexual reproduction without crossovers results in clonal reproduction

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Meiosis, the process of generating gametes in sexually reproducing organisms, typically includes the shuffling of genetic information between homologous chromosomes from each parent. This process leads to the exchange of DNA between these chromosomes, ultimately contributing to greater genetic diversity for the offspring. In the quill beak-sedge Rhynchospora tenuis, which is native to tropical America, […]

Increases in cereal seed size were likely a plastic response before eventual genetic selection

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Plant domestication was a significant event in human history that occurred at multiple locations and time points. Barley, emmer wheat, and einkorn wheat are cereals that were domesticated about 10,000 years ago in southwest Asia, in a region called the Fertile Crescent. The hallmarks of cereal domestication were the loss of seed shattering, leading to […]

Review: Shuffling genes for better breeds

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During meiosis, the cell division process that generates four distinct gametes, chromosomes exchange genetic material during homologous recombination. Homologous recombination is a complex process that is tightly controlled in location and frequency – each chromosome must have at least one crossover (where the genetic material is exchanged). But why is this process so important and […]

Review: What happens when it gets too hot – the vulnerability of plant reproduction in a warming world

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Climate change brings about higher temperatures, threatening plant populations worldwide. Higher temperatures interfere with reproductive processes such as pollen production or fertilization, even if the plant itself can withstand these temperatures. For example, some plants can withstand temperatures up to 60 oC, but the average optimal temperature for pollen and seed development is around 26 […]