Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, Hebei, China
Jing Yang
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Yan Li
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Ligeng Ma
Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Gene Resources and Biotechnology for Carbon Reduction and Environmental Improvement, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; Corresponding author.
The characterization of agronomically important genes has great potential for the improvement of wheat. However, progress in wheat genetics and functional genomics has been impeded by the high complexity and enormous size of the wheat genome. Recent advances in genome sequencing and sequence assembly have produced a high-quality genome sequence for wheat. Here, we suggest that the strategies used to characterize biological mechanisms in model species, including mutant preparation and characterization, gene cloning methods, and improved transgenic technology, can be applied to wheat biology. These strategies will accelerate progress in wheat biology and promote wheat breeding program development. We also outline recent advances in wheat functional genomics. Finally, we discuss the future of wheat functional genomics and the rational design-based molecular breeding of new wheat varieties to contribute to world food security.
