In a second project, we are generating a large collection of transposon-induced, sequence-indexed, single gene knockout lines in maize using the maize Ac/Ds transposable element system. These gene knockouts are publicly available to all researchers. Through this work we are investigating determinants of transposon insertion site specificity. Based on computational approaches including analyses of DNA structural features and a machine learning approach, we are characterizing the structural code recognized by the transposase enzyme. This work has long term relevance to transposon biology and forward and reverse genetics approaches in maize, and in general to transgenic gene targeting technologies in eukaryotic organisms.
Project web site
Funding: NSF Plant Genome Research Program – Award #0922701
Ds Regional Mutagenesis: A Platform for Defining Gene Function in Maize