The Story So Far
Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, studied inheritance in pea plants from 1856–1864.
He identified seven traits (like seed shape, flower color) that showed predictable inheritance patterns.
His work became the foundation of modern genetics, even though it was ignored during his lifetime.
What Mendel Discovered
Traits (like round vs. wrinkled seeds) are passed from parents to offspring in predictable ratios.
Mendel observed that one form (dominant) often masks the other (recessive).
His experiments showed that traits are inherited through genes, even though he didn't know the term.
Solving the 160-Year Mystery
In 2025, scientists sequenced the DNA of 697 types of pea plants.
They used next-generation sequencing to gather a massive amount of data — equivalent to 14 billion pages!
This data helped identify the exact genetic causes behind all 7 of Mendel’s traits.
Key Discoveries
More Genetic Groups: Pea plants actually form eight genetic groups, not just four species as previously thought.
More Complex Traits:
Some traits, like flower color, have multiple gene variants.
A new gene variant in white flowers can make them purple again.
Unsolved Traits Now Solved:
Pod color: Yellow pods result from DNA changes affecting chlorophyll production.
Pod shape: Changes near the MYB gene cause constricted pods.
Flower position: Linked to a gene called CIK, and influenced by another modifier gene.
Why This Matters
The new genetic map includes 72 more traits useful for agriculture (like root structure, disease resistance).
This discovery helps improve crop yield, boost disease resistance, and adapt plants to climate change.
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