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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #431770
Research Project: Championing Improvement of Sorghum and Other Agriculturally Important Species through Data Stewardship and Functional Dissection of Complex Traits

Location: Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research

Title: Sorghum Pan-genomic Resources Reveal Novel Genetic Networks for Trait Discovery

Author
item Gladman, Nicholas
item FAHEY, AUDREY - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
item REGULSKI, MICHAEL - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
item Ware, Doreen

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2026
Publication Date: 1/9/2026
Citation: Gladman, N.P., Fahey, A., Regulski, M., Ware, D. 2026. Sorghum Pan-genomic Resources Reveal Novel Genetic Networks for Trait Discovery. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. Plant and Animal Genome Conference.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) consist of coding and non-coding DNA elements that direct gene expression, shaping stress responses, development, and plant evolution. By integrating novel pan-transcriptomic data from specific tissues and multi-omics information from online database SorghumBase, we can build more accurate GRNs, identify candidate genes and loci for functional studies, select germplasm for breeding and trait discovery, and ultimately apply these findings to crop improvement. In this work, we combined transcriptomics, transcription factor (TF) binding profiles, phenotyping data, and additional genomic metrics to construct sorghum GRNs and explore conserved and divergent modules influencing grain traits across multiple Sorghum Association Panel accessions. Key developmental gene sets showed distinct expression patterns across early tissue stages. To connect these developmental modules with grain trait outcomes, we paired ionomics data from mature seeds with weighted gene correlation network analysis to identify genetic modules linked to trace element accumulation. Integrating TF-binding data from DAP-seq profiles revealed unique promoter binding patterns in meristematic gene clusters. These refined GRNs yielded subnetworks that highlighted new targets for functional characterization. Utilizing genetic variation and germplasm information hosted on SorghumBase, this functional characterization step was accelerated by selecting germplasm with disruptive variants to improve molecular characterization of candidate genes. Together, these findings demonstrate how multi-omics approaches can resolve GRNs and gene modules underlying sorghum development and seed traits, providing a framework for discovering regulatory modules and genetic targets with potential value for breeding programs.