Meiotic Gene Discovery in Cereals and Grasses Using Translational Proteomics

GM Jenkins & I King

IBERS Meiosis Group is engaged in dissecting the genetic control of meiosis and recombination in rye, using comparative genomics and molecular cytogenetics. We are using a comparative proteomics approach in order to determine the structure, function and interaction of key meiotic orthologues in rye, and to identify novel proteins associated with the assembly of meiotic chromosomes and with genetic recombination. It is our intention to build upon encouraging preliminary experiments in rye and Brachypodium, and use this knowledge to feed ‘candidate’ genes into both a barley project and a Lolium recombination programme.