dna-sequencing
DNA sequencing is the process of determining the precise order of nucleotide bases—adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine—that make up an organism's genetic code. In plant science, this technology allows researchers to decode entire plant genomes, revealing the genes responsible for traits like disease resistance, drought tolerance, and crop yield. By comparing genetic sequences across species, scientists can also trace evolutionary relationships and identify targets for breeding hardier, more productive plants.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-07-03
A new technique suppresses plant DNA contamination during microbiome sequencing by physically damaging plant cells before applying a DNA-blocking dye, leaving bacterial DNA intact and readable. The approach requires no prior knowledge of the host plant's genome and outperforms current sequence-based methods, especially in low-biomass samples.
Cryopreservation and mechanical disruption selectively damaged plant cells and increased their susceptibility to PMA treatment without harming bacterial cells
PMA-PCR significantly increased the proportion of bacterial DNA reads in sequencing output and improved detection of bacterial diversity
The method matched or outperformed sequence-dependent blocking primers for reducing host DNA interference, with the largest gains in low-biomass samples