Genomic Discovery through Chromosome Manipulation

From conventional breeding to random mutagenesis and genome editing, approaches to functional genomics are diverse and rapidly improving in efficiency and precision. Here we will discuss examples of functional genomics through the manipulation of chromosomes and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In clonally propagated species, random large-scale insertions and deletions can easily be maintained and provide a wide-range of phenotypic variability that can be harnessed both for gene discovery and crop improvement purposes. A different approach consists in manipulating centromere function to shape genomes. We will discuss the mechanisms underlying haploid induction through altered centromere function, as well as its different applications, including the potential use of centromere manipulation to rapidly introgress valuable traits from exotic germplasm while avoiding linkage drag of deleterious alleles.