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Genetic markers for selection and authentication

Genetic markers are a versatile tool used in basic and applied plant research as well as in breeding and selection programmes. Especially for the latter, a genetic marker reflects a DNA sequence which is linked to a gene or trait of interest, and can thereby be directly used in marker-assisted selection (MAS).

By focusing on non-model plant organisms and by using transcriptomics and/or genomics, we seek to develop and characterize genetic markers that are associated to certain traits (e.g. drought resistance).
With state-of-the-art genotyping technologies we further utilize genetic markers in the frame of breeding and selection processes, for species identification (e.g. via DNA barcoding), population genetics and diversity analyses, for paternity testing, or for the proof of a sample’s origin and authenticity.

Reference projects

  • EVOLTREE: stands for EVOLution of TREEs as drivers of terrestrial biodiversity and aims at linking ecology, genetics, genomics and evolution to address global issues that European forests are currently facing.
  • TREES4FUTURE: aims to integrate, develop and improve major forest genetics and forestry research infrastructures.
  • VIOLINCODE: seeks to decipher a violin’s origin based on genetic markers.
  • BEETSTORE & FFoQSI sub-project: both projects are aiming to decipher molecular markers which are linked to the storability of sugar beet tap roots by linking transcriptomics, genomics and metabolomics.

Selected publications

  • S. Madritsch, S. Bomers, A. Posekany, A. Burg, R. Birke, F. Emerstorfer, R. Turetschek, S. Otte, H. Eigner, E. M. Sehr (2020) Integrative transcriptomics reveals genotypic impact on sugar beet storability. Plant Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-020-01041-8
  • M. Ahmad, D. Lazic, K. Hansel-Hohl, C. Lexer, E. M. Sehr (2019) Development of novel microsatellite markers for Alkanna tinctoria (Boraginaceae) by comparative transcriptomics. Applications in Plant Sciences 7 (10): e11296. doi: 10.1002/aps3.11296
  • S. Madritsch, E. Wischnitzki, P. Kotrade, A. Ashoub, A. Burg, S. Fluch, W. Brüggemann, E. M. Sehr (2019) Elucidating drought stress tolerance in European oaks through cross-species transcriptomics. G3. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.119.400456
  • P. Kotrade, E. M. Sehr, W. Brüggemann (2019) Expression profiles of 12 drought responsive genes in two European (deciduous) oak species during a two-year drought experiment with consecutive drought periods. Plant Gene 19: 100193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2019.100193
  • C. Trujillo-Moya, J.-P. George, S. Fluch, T. Geburek, M. Grabner, S. Karanitsch-Ackerl, H. Konrad, K. Mayer, E. M. Sehr, E. Wischnitzki, S. Schueler (2018) Drought sensitivity of Norway spruce at the species’ warmest fringe: quantitative and molecular analysis reveals high genetic variation among and within provenances. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 8 (4): 1225-1245. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.117.300524
  • W. Okello-Anyanga, K. Hansel-Hohl, A. Burg, S. Gaubitzer, P. R. Rubaihayo, J. Vollmann, P. T. Gibson, S. Fluch, E. M. Sehr (2017) Towards the selection of superior sesame lines based on genetic and phenotypic characterization for Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Science 9 (9): 13-35.
  • E.-M. Halbauer, V. Bohinec, M. Wittenberger, K. Hansel-Hohl, S. Gaubitzer, E. M. Sehr (2017) Genetic diversity of flax accessions originating in the Alpine region - a case study for ex situ germplasm evaluation based on molecular markers. Euphytica 213: 120.
  • A. Ganthaler, W. Stöggl, S. Mayr, I. Kranner, S. Schüler, E. Wischnitzki, E. M. Sehr, S. Fluch, C. Trujillo-Moya (2017) Association genetics of phenolic needle compounds in Norway spruce with variable susceptibility to needle bladder rust. Plant Molecular Biology 94 (3): 229-251.
  • E. M. Sehr & S. Fluch (2016) Markerunterstützte Selektion im Forstbereich: theoretisch, praktisch, zukünftig? Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen 167 (6): 341–343.
  • E. Wischnitzki, K. Burg, M. Berenyi, E. M. Sehr (2016) Selecting Hypomethylated Genomic Regions Using MRE-Seq. In: Hehl, R. (Ed.), Plant Synthetic Promoters, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 1482 (pp. 83-102). Humana Press, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
  • F. Ehrenmann, S. Gaubitzer, D. Kopecky, J. Schmidt, S. Fluch, E. M. Sehr, A. Kremer (2016) Evoltree eLab – An information system for forest genetics. In: A. Kremer, S. Hayes, S. C. González-Martínez (Eds.) Evolution of Trees and Forest Communities: Ten years of the Evoltree network (pp. 21 – 25). PG Edition – Bordeaux.
  • M. Stierschneider, S. Gaubitzer, J. Schmidt, O. Weichselbaum, D. Kopecky, A. Kremer, S. Fluch, E. M. Sehr (2016) The Evoltree Repository Centre – A central access point for reference material and data of forest genetic resources. In: A. Kremer, S. Hayes, S. C. González-Martínez (Eds.) Evolution of Trees and Forest Communities: Ten years of the Evoltree network (pp. 15 – 19). PG Edition – Bordeaux.