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Wheat flour’s end-use quality is tightly linked to the quantity and composition of storage proteins in the endosperm. TAM 111 and TAM 112 are two popular cultivars grown in the Southern US Great Plains with significantly different protein content. To investigate regulatory differences, transcriptome data were analyzed from developing grains at early- and mid-filling stages. At the mid-filling stage, TAM 111 preferentially upregulated starch metabolism-related pathways compared to TAM 112, whereas amino acid metabolism and transporter-related pathways were over-represented in TAM 112. Elemental analyses also indicated a higher N percentage in TAM 112 at the mid-filling stage. To explore the regulatory variation, weighted correlation gene network was constructed from publicly available RNAseq datasets to identify the modules differentially regulated in TAM 111 and TAM 112. Further, the potential transcription factors (TFs) regulating those modules were identified using graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (GLASSO). Homologs of the OsNF-Y family members with known starch metabolism-related functions showed higher connectivities in TAM 111. Multiple TFs with high connectivity in TAM 112 had predicted functions associated with ABA response in grain. These results will provide novel targets for breeders to explore and further our understanding in mechanisms regulating grain development.

Conventional breeding approaches that focus on yield under highly favorable nutrient conditions have resulted in reduced genetic and trait diversity in crops. Under the growing threat from climate change, the mining of novel genes in more resilient varieties can help dramatically improve trait improvement efforts. In this work, we propose the use of the joint graphical lasso for discovering genes responsible for desired phenotypic traits. We prove its efficiency by using gene expression data for wild type and delayed flowering mutants for the model plant. Arabidopsis thaliana shows that it recovers the mutation causing genes LNK1 and LNK2. Some novel interactions of these genes were also predicted. Observing the network level changes between two phenotypes can also help develop meaningful biological hypotheses regarding the novel functions of these genes. Now that this data analysis strategy has been validated in a model plant, it can be extended to crop plants to help identify the key genes for beneficial traits for crop improvement.

Anaphylaxis secondary to thymoglobulin (anti-thymocyte globulin) is a rare condition that can be life threatening. Thymoglobulin is a rabbit-derived T-cell depleting polyclonal immunoglobulin. It is commonly used for induction immunosuppression and/or for treatment of acute rejection in renal transplantation. We report a case of a living kidney transplant recipient who developed intraoperative anaphylactic shock secondary to thymoglobulin. The patient had a history of pet rabbit exposure. This case report highlights the importance of prompt identification and management of intraoperative anaphylaxis, which is key to a successful outcome. Induction immunosuppression selection based on patient characteristics is important. Communication between the anesthesia team and surgeons played a key role in stopping the donor surgery.