This three-year National Science Foundation Project Grant of $439,507 will fund research at the University of California, Berkeley to uncover the genetic basis of specialized vascular function in maize plants. Principal Investigators Leiboff of Oregon State University and Chuck of UC Berkeley will apply single-cell genomics, mutant mapping, and machine learning techniques to identify genes regulating specialized vein development and physiology. Their work aims to improve maize's resilience to climate change threats like drought and flooding. In addition, the PIs will develop low-cost smartphone microscope kits and open educational resources on single-cell genomics to engage high school students and train undergraduate biology students on this emerging technology. This research supports the Biological Sciences program's goal of increasing knowledge in major areas confronting the nation to promote biological science progress and strengthen the national scientific enterprise.
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