Biology subjects

Brien, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Brien, C..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

IDENTIFICATION OF CANDIDATE GENES UNDERLYING A NOVEL QTL FOR ROOT LENGTH AND DIAMETER IN BARLEY IN RESPONSE TO SALINITY

Salinity is a major agricultural problem that decreases growth and yield of crops and is expected to worsen with climate change. Improving salt tolerance through breeding could be facilitated by identification of genetic loci and candidate genes affecting root traits that enhance water and nutrient uptake while limiting accumulation of toxic ions. In this study, a Clipper x Sahara 3771 doubled haploid (DH) barley mapping population was screened for root growth responses to saline conditions in a controlled environment. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were mapped for root traits including seminal root length, root diameter and root potassium. Major QTLs affecting seminal root length and average root diameter were detected in the distal region of the short arm of chromosome 2H, indicating that this region is a key determinant of root architecture under both control and saline conditions. The linkage map was improved by using newly designed assays for SNPs on chromosome 2H and a 2.5-Mb interval was identified for investigation of candidate genes. Bulked segregant RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq) of contrasting salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive DH lines identified differentially expressed genes associated with root growth maintenance and ion homeostasis in root tips. These findings identify specific region on chromosome 2H as a major genomic region affecting barley root architecture, especially under saline conditions, and identify differentially expressed candidate genes in that region.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Comparison of embolic effects between permanent and novel resorbable microspheres in a porcine renal artery embolization model for TAE

PurposeThis study evaluated porcine renal artery embolization using resorbable alginate microspheres versus permanent microspheres (Embozene), assessing vessel recanalization, local/systemic foreign body reactions, and potential complications. Materials and MethodsTwelve Yorkshire swine (3 female, 9 male) underwent unilateral kidney arterial embolization with either Embozene or resorbable microspheres. Angiography was performed to confirm embolization. Vessel recanalization for was determined through angiography. The effect of embolization was evaluated by assessment of serum chemistry markers and by renal histopathology at 1, 3, 7 and 28 days post-procedure. ResultsEmbolization procedures with both embolic agents were performed with 100% technical success. Hematology, coagulation factors and serum chemistry were largely unremarkable throughout the study period of 28 days. Alginate resorbable alginate microspheres facilitated compete recanalization and revascularisation within the initial 24hr observation window, while the permanent microsphere remained present at all evaluated time points. No inflammation was observed with resorbable microsphere whereas Embozene-induced inflammation was minimal to mild. Vascular histopathologic alteration with resorbable microspheres was limited and resolved by 24 hours, whereas Embozene caused sustained injury extending alteration to the internal elastic lamina, tunica media or adventitia. ConclusionAlginate resorbable microsphere demonstrated effective temporary embolization with a recanalization time of around 24 hours together with complete renal tissue recovery, no systemic impact, and minimal local reaction compared to Embozene. The findings suggest that embolization using resorbable microspheres is safe and may be suitable for use where temporary embolization of vessels is required.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2023

Deciphering Salt Stress Responses in Solanum pimpinellifolium through High-Throughput Phenotyping.

Soil salinity is a major environmental stressor affecting agricultural productivity worldwide. Understanding plant responses to salt stress is crucial for developing resilient crop varieties. Wild relatives of cultivated crops, such as wild tomato, Solanum pimpinellifolium, can serve as a useful resource to further expand the resilience potential of the cultivated germplasm, S. lycopersicum. In this study, we employed high-throughput phenotyping in the greenhouse and field conditions to explore salt stress responses of a S. pimpinellifolium diversity panel. Our study revealed extensive phenotypic variations in response to salt stress, with traits such as transpiration rate, shoot mass, and ion accumulation showing significant correlations with plant performance. We found that while transpiration was a key determinant of plant performance in the greenhouse, shoot mass strongly correlated with yield under field conditions. Conversely, ion accumulation was the least influential factor under greenhouse conditions. Through a Genome Wide Association Study, we identified candidate genes not previously associated with salt stress, highlighting the power of high-throughput phenotyping in uncovering novel aspects of plant stress responses. This study contributes to our understanding of salt stress tolerance in S. pimpinellifolium and lays the groundwork for further investigations into the genetic basis of these traits, ultimately informing breeding efforts for salinity tolerance in tomato and other crops.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

A single nucleotide substitution in TaHKT1;5-D controls shoot Na+ accumulation in bread wheat

Improving salinity tolerance in the most widely cultivated cereal, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is essential to increase grain yields on saline agricultural lands. A Portuguese landrace, Mocho de Espiga Branca accumulates up to 6 folds greater leaf and sheath sodium (Na+) than two Australian cultivars, Gladius and Scout, under salt stress. Despite high leaf and sheath Na+ concentrations, Mocho de Espiga Branca maintained similar salinity tolerance compared to Gladius and Scout. A naturally occurring single nucleotide substitution was identified in the gene encoding a major Na+ transporter TaHKT1;5-D in Mocho de Espiga Branca, which resulted in a L190P amino acid residue variation. This variant prevents Mocho de Espiga Branca from retrieving Na+ from the root xylem leading to a high shoot Na+ concentration. The identification of the tissue tolerant Mocho de Espiga Branca will accelerate the development of more elite salt tolerant bread wheat cultivars.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2019

The wheat Seven in Absentia gene is associated with increases in biomass and yield in hot climates

Wheat productivity is severely reduced by high temperatures. Breeding of heat tolerant cultivars can be achieved by identifying genes controlling physiological and agronomical traits with high temperature and using these to select superior genotypes, but no gene underlying genetic variation for heat tolerance has previously been described. We completed the positional cloning of qYDH.3BL, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on bread wheat chromosome 3B associated with increased yield in hot and dry climates. The delimited genomic region contained 12 putative genes and a sequence variant in the promoter region of one gene - seven in absentia, TaSINA. This was associated with the QTLs effects on early vigour, plant biomass and yield components in two distinct wheat populations grown under various growth conditions. Near isogenic lines carrying the positive allele at qYDH.3BL under-expressed TaSINA and had increased vigour and water use efficiency early in development, as well as increased biomass, grain number and grain weight following heat stress. A survey of worldwide distribution indicated that the positive allele became widespread from the 1950s through the CIMMYT wheat breeding programme but, to date, has been selected only in breeding programmes in Mexico and Australia.\n\nSignificance statementWheat is the worlds most widely grown crop and a staple of human diet. Even brief episodes of high temperature in the growing season cause severe yield reductions. Finding and deploying genes for heat stress tolerance in new varieties is a priority for food security with climate change. We narrowed a genetic locus to a small genomic region where genetic variation was present only in one gene that showed clear differences of expression and improved yield and physiology under stress in the populations. Using diagnostic markers to track the positive haplotype in nearly 750 accessions, we found many regions where the allele could be used in breeding programmes to increase wheats heat tolerance.

genetics↗