Biological research has been transformed by the new science of genomics. Genomics is a powerful set of tools for understanding the structure and function of every single gene and protein. Using genomics, scientists dissect the interrelationships among genetic networks and explore the molecular basis of biological process.

My colleagues and I use genomics to understand the genetic organization of legumes, the plant family that includes crops like soybean, pea, and alfalfa. A key starting point toward our goal is sequencing the complete genome of a simple model legume known as Medicago truncatula. With this information, we are working to understand the molecular evolution that has taken place over millions of years and resulted in the modern crops.

Of special interest to us are the genes responsible for defending against disease pathogens. These so-called disease resistance genes are an especially interesting and important gene family in plants. Understanding the molecular evolution and genomic organization of plant resistance genes is essential for sustainable use of genetic resistance in agriculture.

Web site: http://umn.edu/home/neviny

Selected Publications:

Cannon, S.B., Sterck, L., Rombauts, S., Sato, S., Cheung, F. Gouzy, J.P., Wang, X., Mudge, J., Vasdewani, J., Schiex, T., Spannagl, M., Monaghan, E., Nicholson, C., Humphray, S.J., Schoof, H., Mayer, K.F.X., Rogers, J., Quétier, F., Oldroyd, G.E., Debellé, F., Cook, D.R., Roe, B.A., Town, C.D. Tabata, S., Van de Peer, Y., Young, N.D. (2006) Legume evolution viewed through the Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus genomes. Proceedings National Academy Sciences USA, 103:14959-14964.

Choi, H.K, Mun, J.H., Kim, D.J., Zhu, H., Baek, J.M., Mudge, J., Roe, B., Ellis, T.H.N., Doyle, J., Kiss, G.B., Young, N.D., Cook, D. R. (2004) Estimating genome conservation between crop and model legume species. Proceedings National Academy Sciences USA 101:15289-15294 (pdf).

Choi, I.-Y., Hyten, D.L., Specht, J.E., Matukumalli, L.K., Song, Q., Quigley, C.V., Lee, M.S., Chase, K., Lark, K.G., Reiter, R.S., Yoon, M.-S., Hwang, E.-Y., Yi, S.-I., Young, N.D., Shoemaker, R.C., van Tassell, C.P., Cregan, P.B. (2007) A soybean transcript map:  Discovery and mapping of single nucleotide polymorphisms in soybean genes. Genetics 176: 685-696.

Mudge, J., Cannon. S.B., Kalo, P., Oldroyd. G.E.D., Roe, B.A., Town. C.D., Young. N.D. (2005) Highly syntenic regions in the genomes of soybean, Medicago truncatula, and Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Plant Biology 5:15.

Young, N.D., Cannon, S.B., Sato, S., Kim, D.J., Cook, D.R., Town, C.D., Roe, B.A., Tabata, S. (2005) Sequencing the genespaces of Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus. Plant Physiology 137: 1174-1181.