SorghumBase blog

CSI Seminar Brent Crafton, Lanier Dabruzzi, Shelee Padgett and Zach Simon Jan 13 at 11 AM CT

The Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI) will host a virtual seminar given by Brent Crafton, Lanier Dabruzzi, Shelee Padgett and Zach Simon, members of the Sorghum Checkoff Marketing Team, on Tuesday, January 13 at 11:00 AM CT. Their talk, “Moving

Gramene and SorghumBase Teams at PAG33 in San Diego, California, January 9-14, 2024

The International Plant and Animal Genome conference (PAG33) will take place on January 9-14, 2026 in San Diego, California and the SorghumBase and Gramene teams will be there!

Systems Biology: Global Regulation of Gene Expression, CSHL Mar 11-14, Abstracts Due Jan 9

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is hosting the Systems Biology: Global Regulation of Gene Expression meeting March 11-14, 2026. The focus of the meeting will be on encouraging collaboration between experimental and computational biologists exploring the structure and regulation of complex transcriptional networks in eukaryotic systems.

Identification of a BPM Domain-Containing Gene Regulating Panicle Exsertion in Sorghum for Mechanized Harvesting Adaptation

Ao et al. identified a BPM domain-containing gene on chromosome 10 as a key regulator of panicle exsertion in sorghum, linking impaired BR signaling and reduced parenchyma cell elongation to a sheathed panicle phenotype, with implications for breeding varieties suited for mechanized harvesting.

H3K36me3-Mediated Chromatin Regulation Orchestrates Plant Development and Antagonizes Repressive Epigenetic Marks

H3K36me3 plays a crucial role in plant development by activating gene expression and antagonizing repressive chromatin marks like H3K27me3 and H2A.Z, thereby shaping developmental and tissue-specific transcriptional programs.

Uncovering Genetic Architecture of Agronomic Traits in Ethiopian Sorghum Landraces Through Multi-Locus GWAS for Genomics-Assisted Breeding

Researchers utilized multi-locus GWAS to uncover key QTNs and candidate genes associated with agronomic and yield-related traits in Ethiopian sorghum landraces, providing valuable insights for genomics-assisted breeding of resilient, high-yielding varieties.

Sorghum in Fermentation: New Insights into Genetics, Grain Traits, and Microbial Interactions from Baijiu to African Traditional Beers

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has long played a central role in the production of fermented beverages across continents, from West African dolo and pito to Chinese baijiu and emerging gluten-free craft beers in the West. A wave of recent research is shedding light on how sorghum’s grain properties, microbial interactions during fermentation, and genetic diversity influence the quality and sustainability of these beverages.

Unlocking Sorghum’s Potential in Skin Care and Antioxidant Applications: A New Frontier for Kafirin Peptides

In recent years, sorghum has gained increasing attention not just as a climate-resilient staple crop, but also as a source of high-value bioactive compounds with applications beyond the food and feed sectors. A growing body of research highlights the potential of sorghum storage proteins—particularly kafirins—as a sustainable source of antioxidant peptides and cosmeceutical ingredients.

Kafirin on the Rise: Sorghum Protein Bioplastics Show Expanding Potential Across Industries

As interest grows in sustainable, plant-based alternatives to synthetic materials, sorghum’s seed storage protein, kafirin, is gaining recognition not just for its agronomic relevance but also for its remarkable biomaterial properties. Once considered a low-value byproduct of sorghum processing, kafirin is now being explored as a key ingredient in high-performance bioplastics, nanomaterials, and drug delivery systems.

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