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Molecular Cytogenetics in the Genus Brachypodium

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Genetics and Genomics of Brachypodium

Part of the book series: Plant Genetics and Genomics: Crops and Models ((PGG,volume 18))

Abstract

Cytogenetics is the part of biology that focuses on the study of nuclear genomes at the microscopic level. In its modern incarnation, which is known as molecular cytogenetics, it represents a multidiscipline that amalgamates the various methodological approaches of cytology and molecular genetics as well as advanced microscopy and digital image processing. One of the most spectacular molecular cytogenetic techniques is fluorescence in situ hybridisation, which offers unprecedented insights into the various aspects of nuclear genome organisation at the level of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes and in the interphase nucleus. A complementary cytomolecular approach that utilises fluorescent antibodies that target methylated DNA or chemically modified histones in situ gives in-depth insights into the epigenetic modifications of chromatin that govern the modulation of the gene expression.

Brachypodium genus in general and B. distachyon, in particular, represent exceptionally good model systems for cytomolecular studies, which is due to their highly desirable ‘model’ biological features and rapidly and continuously growing repertoire of various experimental tools. This chapter outlines the present status of molecular cytogenetic analyses of the plant genome structure, dynamics and evolution using B. distachyon and some of its relatives, focusing on important scientific questions, such as: What mechanisms shape the karyotypes? Is the distribution of individual chromosomes within an interphase nucleus random or determined? Which epigenetic processes play crucial roles in the B. distachyon embryo and plant development by regulating tissue-specific gene expression and cell differentiation?

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Polish National Science Centre (grants no. DEC-2012/04/A/NZ3/00572 and DEC-2011/01/B/NZ3/00177) and by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (grant no. N303 570738).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, University of Silesia in Katowice, 28 Jagiellonska Street, 40-032, Katowice, Poland

    Robert Hasterok, Alexander Betekhtin, Natalia Borowska-Zuchowska, Agnieszka Braszewska-Zalewska, Dominika Idziak-Helmcke, Ewa Robaszkiewicz & Elzbieta Wolny

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  1. Robert Hasterok
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  2. Alexander Betekhtin
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  4. Agnieszka Braszewska-Zalewska
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  6. Ewa Robaszkiewicz
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  7. Elzbieta Wolny
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Correspondence to Robert Hasterok .

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  1. DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA

    John P. Vogel

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Hasterok, R. et al. (2015). Molecular Cytogenetics in the Genus Brachypodium . In: Vogel, J. (eds) Genetics and Genomics of Brachypodium. Plant Genetics and Genomics: Crops and Models, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7397_2015_1

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