Plant Biology

Study Challenges Evolutionary Theory That DNA Mutations Are Random

UC Davis researchers, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute, discovered that DNA mutations in plants are not random but follow a non-random pattern that benefits the plant. This finding challenges existing mutation theories and could aid in crop breeding and disease prevention.

Gail Taylor

  • Distinguished Professor Emerita, Former Chair of the Department of Plant Sciences and past John B. Orr Professor of Environmental Plant Sciences (2020-2024)
Plant adaptation to a changing climate, genetics and genomics of leafy salad crops, non-food woody biomass crops for bioenergy. Sustainability, ecosystem services, plants and the Sustainable Development Goals.
1210 PES
UC Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616

Dina Ann St. Clair

  • Professor Emerita Plant Breeding and Genetics
Plant breeding, genetics and genomics of quantitative traits; quantitative genetics; use of wild species in crop and germplasm improvement; QTL introgression; marker-assisted selection and genomics in breeding.
114 ASMUNDSON
UC Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis CA 95616