GSSM research on senescence in maize

1. Mapping of Genes
Controlling Senescence in
Maize (Zea mays L.)
Alec S. Popichak

2. Introduction
 The goal of this project was to identify the
genes associated with senescence
 Senescence is a process of recycling/aging
 After the gene is found, the plants could be
engineered
 Allow humanity to rely less on fossil fuels

3. Materials and Methods
 3 main methods: Pollination, Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR), and Genotyping

4. Pollination
 Mutant plants contained B73 DNA
 Plants were self pollinated so we know that
these plants contain only B73 DNA

5. Pollination (cont.)
 3 main steps: shoot bagging, setting up, taking
down

6. PCR
 Goal: to optimize primers
 Primers were determined optimized when they
produced a singular bright band following PCR

7. Genotyping
Gel electrophoreses were used to determine
optimal primers
Products of gel were then scored
Scores were based on PCR results: B73 plants
were labeled A, Mo17 plants labeled B and
heterozygotes labeled H

8. Results
 Optimized NM51,52,53 primers
 B73 amplification results were loaded in lanes 1,3,5
 Not all wells were perfect but were declared usable

9. Results (cont.)
 Optimized NM56 and NM57
 B73 loaded into wells 1 and 5
 Wells 3 and 4 were re-runs of a previous primer to
make sure that they were correct

10. Results (cont.)
Genotyped NM57
Well 11: Heterozygous Control
Well 12: Mo17 Control
Well 13: B73 Control

11. Discussion
 Altering natural senescence times in different
species
 Limitations of biofuels
 Shortening/lengthening senescence

12. Acknowledgements
 I would like to thank Dr. Rajandeep Sekhon,
Dr. Shannon Alford, Dr. Karl Rohr, Dr. Glenn
Morrow, Grace Hanna, Hannah Halusker and
funding from Clemson University as well as the
opportunity from the South Carolina
Governor’s School for Science and
Mathematics.