Development of an SNP marker set for marker-assisted backcrossing using genotyping-by-sequencing in tetraploid perilla.

High-quality molecular markers are essential for marker-assisted selection to accelerate breeding progress. Compared with diploid species, recently diverged polyploid crop species tend to have highly similar homeologous subgenomes, which is expected to limit the development of broadly applicable locus-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays. Furthermore, it is particularly challenging to make genome-wide marker sets for species that lack a reference genome.

Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with Salt Stress in Cowpea ( L.) during the Early Vegetative Stage.

Cowpea ( (L.), 2 = 22) is a tropical crop grown in arid and semiarid regions that is tolerant to abiotic stresses such as heat and drought. However, in these regions, salt in the soil is generally not eluted by rainwater, leading to salt stress for a variety of plant species.

Strong and Tough Nacre-Inspired Graphene Oxide Composite with Hierarchically Similar Structure.

We report a graphene oxide (GO)-based composite, featuring GO/cross-linking agent (CA) nanoparticles, inspired by a nacre-like hierarchical structure present in nature. The as-prepared GO/CA composite was powdered to nanoscale particles and then mixed with pure GO to be GO/CA/GO (GCG) composite forming hierarchical GO/CA nanoasperities on the GO surface. The strength and toughness of the nacre-inspired GCG composite films were simultaneously improved by adjusting the nanoparticle concentration and hierarchical level of the GO-based films.

Asymmetric Dichroic Colors in Stretchable Film with Embedded Au/Ag Alloy Nanoparticles.

We present a new type of stretchable dichroic film in which Au and Ag alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The alloy NPs are synthesized with different atomic compositions and sizes to modulate their plasmonic resonance frequencies and absorption and scattering cross sections. The PDMS dichroic film in which 100 nm alloy NPs with a Au/Ag ratio of 7:3 are dispersed shows exotic optical properties under tensile strain.

Angle-Insensitive Transmission and Reflection of Nanopatterned Dielectric Multilayer Films for Colorful Solar Cells.

Aesthetically appealing photovoltaic (PV) panels with colorful layers are used in numerous applications involving color matching with the surroundings. To develop a colored film for a PV system, appropriate optical properties such as high transparency and low angle sensitivity are necessary because the colored layers can reduce the efficiency of the PV system by causing variations in the transmittance and angle of incidence. Herein, we propose a facile fabrication method for bioinspired three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystal (PC) films that exhibit broad angle-insensitive transmission and reflection, for application in colorful PV.

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with flowering time in perilla using genotyping-by-sequencing.

Understanding the transition to the reproductive period is important for crop breeding. This information can facilitate the production of novel varieties that are better adapted to local environments or changing climatic conditions. Here, we report the development of a high-density linkage map based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) for the genus perilla.

Iridescent and Glossy Effect on Polymer Surface Using Micro-/Nanohierarchical Structure: Artificial Queen of the Night Tulip Petals.

Many petals in nature have a hierarchical structure that imparts various optical properties. Among these, the petals of the Queen of the Night tulip exhibit an iridescent and glossy color due to the diffraction and scattering of light. Herein, we report a bioinspired micro-/nanohierarchical structure that mimics Queen of the Night tulip petal surfaces.

Surface-diffusion-limited growth of atomically thin WS crystals from core-shell nuclei.

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have recently attracted great attention since the unique and fascinating physical properties have been found in various TMDs, implying potential applications in next-generation devices. The progress towards developing new functional and high-performance devices based on TMDs, however, is limited by the difficulty in producing large-area monolayer TMDs due to a lack of knowledge of the growth processes of monolayer TMDs. In this work, we have investigated the growth processes of monolayer WS2 crystals using a thermal chemical vapor deposition method, in which the growth conditions were adjusted in a systematic manner.

Nacre-Mimetic Graphene Oxide/Cross-Linking Agent Composite Films with Superior Mechanical Properties.

We report a graphene oxide/cross-linking agent (GO/CA) composite inspired by the nacre structure. Based on the "brick-and-mortar" concept of nacre, graphene oxide and a cross-linking agent are covalently conjugated in the form of nacre. The mechanical characteristics of the nacre-mimetic GO/CA composite film can be controlled by adjusting the preparation method, degree of cross-linking, and cross-linking times.

Molecular characterization of proton beam-induced mutations in soybean using genotyping-by-sequencing.

Proton beam irradiation is a next-generation technique to develop mutant crop varieties. The mutagenic effects and molecular mechanisms of radiation are important multi-disciplinary research subjects. This study was conducted to investigate the types of mutations induced in the soybean genome by proton beam irradiation.

Stomata-Inspired Photomechanical Ion Nanochannels Modified by Azobenzene Composites.

A low-powered and highly selective photomechanical sensor system mimicking stomata in the epidermis of leaves harvested from nature is demonstrated. This device uses a light-responsive composite consisting of 4-amino-1,1'-azobenzene-3,4'-disulfonic acid monosodium salt (AZO) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) coated on a membrane with tens of nanometer-size pores. The ionic current change through the pore channels as a function of pore size variation is then measured.

Effect of interlayer interactions on exciton luminescence in atomic-layered MoS2 crystals.

The atomic-layered semiconducting materials of transition metal dichalcogenides are considered effective light sources with both potential applications in thin and flexible optoelectronics and novel functionalities. In spite of the great interest in optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, the excitonic properties still need to be addressed, specifically in terms of the interlayer interactions. Here, we report the distinct behavior of the A and B excitons in the presence of interlayer interactions of layered MoS2 crystals.

Identification of candidate genes for an early-maturing soybean mutant by genome resequencing analysis.

Flowering is indicative of the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase, a critical event in the life cycle of plants. In this study, we performed whole genome resequencing by Illumina HiSeq to identify changes in flowering genes using an early-flowering phenotype of soybean mutant line Josaengserori (JS) derived from Korean landrace, Seoritae (SR), and we obtained mapped reads of 131,769,690 and 167,669,640 bp in JS and SR, respectively. From the whole genome sequencing results between JS and SR, we identified 332,821 polymorphic SNPs and 65,178 indels, respectively.

De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa.

Oriental melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa) is one of six subspecies of melon and is cultivated widely in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea.

High-throughput sequencing and de novo assembly of Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L. for transcriptome analysis.

Background: The cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L., has a distinguishable phenotype within the genus Brassica.

Genome-wide SNP calling using next generation sequencing data in tomato.

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a model plant for genome research in Solanaceae, as well as for studying crop breeding. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a valuable resource in genetic research and breeding.

Ectopic expression of Capsicum-specific cell wall protein Capsicum annuum senescence-delaying 1 (CaSD1) delays senescence and induces trichome formation in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Secreted proteins are known to have multiple roles in plant development, metabolism, and stress response. In a previous study to understand the roles of secreted proteins, Capsicum annuum secreted proteins (CaS) were isolated by yeast secretion trap. Among the secreted proteins, we further characterized Capsicum annuum senescence-delaying 1 (CaSD1), a gene encoding a novel secreted protein that is present only in the genus Capsicum.

Comparative analysis of pepper and tomato reveals euchromatin expansion of pepper genome caused by differential accumulation of Ty3/Gypsy-like elements.

Background: Among the Solanaceae plants, the pepper genome is three times larger than that of tomato. Although the gene repertoire and gene order of both species are well conserved, the cause of the genome-size difference is not known. To determine the causes for the expansion of pepper euchromatic regions, we compared the pepper genome to that of tomato.

Molecular mapping and characterization of a single dominant gene controlling CMV resistance in peppers (Capsicum annuum L.).

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most destructive viruses in the Solanaceae family. Simple inheritance of CMV resistance in peppers has not previously been documented; all previous studies have reported that resistance to this virus is mediated by several partially dominant and recessive genes. In this study, we showed that the Capsicum annuum cultivar 'Bukang' contains a single dominant resistance gene against CMV(Korean) and CMV(FNY) strains.

Evolution of ribosomal DNA-derived satellite repeat in tomato genome.

Background: Tandemly repeated DNA, also called as satellite DNA, is a common feature of eukaryotic genomes. Satellite repeats can expand and contract dramatically, which may cause genome size variation among genetically-related species. However, the origin and expansion mechanism are not clear yet and needed to be elucidated.

Integration of cytogenetic and genetic linkage maps unveils the physical architecture of tomato chromosome 2.

We report the integration of the linkage map of tomato chromosome 2 with a high-density bacterial artificial chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization (BAC-FISH)-based cytogenetic map. The euchromatic block of chromosome 2 resides between 13 and 142 cM and has a physical length of 48.12 microm, with 1 microm equivalent to 540 kb.