Transcriptomic Landscape of Zea mays Meiocytes in Three Inbred Lines

The process of genetic recombination is important for an organism’s ability to survive, adapt, and evolve. Recombination occurs through crossing over during meiosis, the cell division process that reduces gametes to a haploid state. To study meiotic gene expression, we sequenced RNA from meiocytes. More specifically, meiocytes were isolated during the early stages of Prophase I, which is the hallmark of double strand breaks and crossing over. Meiocytes were isolated from three Zea mays inbred lines, namely, B73, Mo17 and CML228. The mechanisms driving meiosis are largely unknown and this study will help us gain a broad understanding of genes and pathways that are involved in the process of recombination.  Via our analysis, we provide insights into the transcriptomic landscape of meiocytes in all three inbred lines, which will in turn provide immense knowledge into the process of recombination and various regulatory aspects of early meiosis.