Description
Advances in understanding the genetic basis of variation for levels of total carotenoids and provitamin A carotenoids in maize grain have been made recently. Provitamin A carotenoids are converted to retinol or Vitamin A in the human body. Global Vitamin A deficiencies are widespread. Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections and can eventually result in death. It is estimated that 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind every year as a result of vitamin A deficiency, and that half of these die within one year of losing their eyesight (www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/).
Fortunately the genes that control levels of provitamin A in maize grain have been discovered. Maize is a major food staple in Sub-Saharan Africa where vitamin deficiencies are prevalent. Initial selection of favorable forms of two carotenoid biosynthetic genes have dramatically increased provitamin A concentrations in experimental hybrids grown in Zambia. However, there are needs for a major widespread selection initiative and program to convert most all of the maize throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to high provitamin A concentrations. Developments in genomic prediction and selection based on DNA sequence variation are emerging and could greatly help this goal. Artificial Intelligence may be very useful in designing very efficient selection programs. More and more DNA sequence data will become available as technology advances. The entire genome of maize plants in breeding programs will be routinely DNA sequenced. However, the rate of increase of DNA sequence data is already making it challenging for humans to effectively handle and use all this information.
How AI may help a global breeding effort for more nutritious maize grain effort will be discussed, including efforts to increase other vitamins, such as Vitamin E.
Some consideration will be given to possible negative consequences of AI driven selection programs to enhance vitamin concentrations in maize grain throughout the developing and developed world.
Location
Krannert Exec Ed Room 108
Start Date
9-18-2014 2:00 PM
DOI
10.5703/1288284315963
Global Vitamin Enhancement of Maize Grain: Wonderful Opportunities for Genomic Selection
Krannert Exec Ed Room 108
Advances in understanding the genetic basis of variation for levels of total carotenoids and provitamin A carotenoids in maize grain have been made recently. Provitamin A carotenoids are converted to retinol or Vitamin A in the human body. Global Vitamin A deficiencies are widespread. Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections and can eventually result in death. It is estimated that 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind every year as a result of vitamin A deficiency, and that half of these die within one year of losing their eyesight (www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/).
Fortunately the genes that control levels of provitamin A in maize grain have been discovered. Maize is a major food staple in Sub-Saharan Africa where vitamin deficiencies are prevalent. Initial selection of favorable forms of two carotenoid biosynthetic genes have dramatically increased provitamin A concentrations in experimental hybrids grown in Zambia. However, there are needs for a major widespread selection initiative and program to convert most all of the maize throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to high provitamin A concentrations. Developments in genomic prediction and selection based on DNA sequence variation are emerging and could greatly help this goal. Artificial Intelligence may be very useful in designing very efficient selection programs. More and more DNA sequence data will become available as technology advances. The entire genome of maize plants in breeding programs will be routinely DNA sequenced. However, the rate of increase of DNA sequence data is already making it challenging for humans to effectively handle and use all this information.
How AI may help a global breeding effort for more nutritious maize grain effort will be discussed, including efforts to increase other vitamins, such as Vitamin E.
Some consideration will be given to possible negative consequences of AI driven selection programs to enhance vitamin concentrations in maize grain throughout the developing and developed world.
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