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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Improvement Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421823
Research Project: Improvement of Disease and Pest Resistance in Barley, Durum, Oat, and Wheat Using Genetics and Genomics

Location: Cereal Crops Improvement Research

Title: Advances in gene cloning and functional genomics approaches for wheat improvement

Author
item GUDI, SANTOSH - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
item RAZZAQ, KHIZAR - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
item SINGH, JATINDER - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
item MENDOZA, LUIS DR - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
item KHAN, MOHAMAD - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
item GUPTA, RAJEEV
item GILL, UPINDER - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: The Plant Genome
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2026
Publication Date: 6/12/2026
Citation: Gudi, S., Razzaq, K., Singh, J., Mendoza, L., Khan, M., Gupta, R., Gill, U. 2026. Advances in gene cloning and functional genomics approaches for wheat improvement. The Plant Genome. 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70261.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70261

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Wheat is a globally important cereal crop which provides 20% calories in human diet. Identifying genes and elucidating their functions is still challenging in wheat due to its large genome (~16 Gb) with significant amount of repetitive elements. However, the gene cloning and functional characterization efforts are gradually picking up over the last decade. In this review article, we have discussed the recent advances in wheat functional genomics including strategies (beyond the map-based cloning) based on next-generation sequencing (NGS), association analysis, and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) along with its modifications. We have also discussed how functional genomics approaches including conventional, genetic engineering, genome editing, and transient gene expression can be utilized in wheat improvement. Besides recent developments, we discussed the possible opportunities available for improving the field of gene cloning and functional genomics in wheat. Introducing the innovative and advanced functional genomics tools helps in identification and functional validation of target genes in wheat for faster genetic gain.