GPZ Working Group: Cytogenetics and Chromosome Analysis

07/05/2026

An international team succeeded in generating haploids in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana very efficiently. This process involves degrading the CENH3 protein in the centromere. This method could, in principle, also be applied to crop plants, significantly speeding up breeding processes. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590346226001458?via%3Dihub

04/04/2026

The precise manipulation of defined chromosome regions, or even entire chromosomes, is a challenge in large-genome crops. To overcome this, Jianyong Chen and colleagues employed CRISPR/Cas to induce numerous double-strand breaks within defined repeat arrays, where multiplex cutting can overwhelm DNA repair and trigger major chromosomal rearrangements. This strategy presents a novel in planta CRISPR approach for inducing targeted chromosome truncations and aneuploidy in large-genome crops using satellite DNA-targeted gRNAs. It lays the groundwork for the development of endogenous or alien minichromosomes and new aneuploid lines across different wheat genotypes. https://www.cell.com/plant-communications/fulltext/S2590-3462(26)00141-0

04/03/2026

Open PhD position in plant chromosome biology and microscopy - EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “AGILE”
Title: Comparative chromatin analysis of supernumerary and standard chromosomes
The full posting and application are available here: https://www.msca-agile.eu/recruitment/

Objectives: Compare the spatial distribution and chromatin composition of standard A chromosomes (As) and supernumerary B chromosomes (Bs). To determine if supernumerary chromosomes have a preferential or nonrandom distribution, (Obj1) we will analyse the relative position of As and Bs in intact root nuclei of tissue sections labelled using chromosome painting and imaged using 3D super-resolution (SIM) and Imaris-based image analysis (S1). To determine whether B chromosomes have a different epigenetic setup than As, (Obj2) we will quantify the levels of three different histone modifications marking euchromatin and heterochromatin states on Bs versus As (SIM imaging) and the number of RNA Pol II molecules (PALM imaging). To determine the transcriptional status of As versus Bs, (Obj3) we will quantify the amount of nascent RNA from four A- and B-encoded paralogous genes using allele-specific 3D smRNA-FISH and single molecule imaging (PALM). This quantitative, cytogenetic work will complement ongoing molecular profiling of B versus A chromosomes’ epigenetic and transcriptional state.
Requirements: having a Master's degree; experience with chromosome, molecular and cell biological techniques; be fascinated by the biology of chromosomes and have a strong interest in microscopy; highly motivated with team spirit; having solid oral and written English skills. Applicants must not have resided OR worked in Germany during the last three years (or less than 12 months)
Responsible: Andreas Houben (ORCID: 0000-0003-3419-239X) and Maria Cuacos (ORCID: 0000-0003-4910-7311)
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
The full posting and application are available here: https://www.msca-agile.eu/recruitment/

Discover PhD positions within MSCA AGILE. Join an international doctoral network in plant chromatin, imaging and computational biology.

24/01/2026

Recent progress in plant genome engineering: from large insertions to chromosome number changes. - CRISPR-based engineering has reached a new stage with chromosome fission and fusion, demonstrating the feasibility of controlled karyotype restructuring. Together, these advances open new opportunities for crop improvement, from establishing reproductive barriers and mimicking evolutionary processes to trait stacking on Plant Artificial Chromosomes. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958166925001703

27/12/2025

B chromosome elimination in Sorghum purpureosericeum analysed. Findings suggest that B chromosomes express modified mitotic machinery to control their own fate. By establishing a framework of candidate genes, this study opens new avenues for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of chromosome elimination and provides a critical foundation for understanding how genomes evolve to regulate and tolerate supernumerary chromosomal elements. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13059-025-03915-w

21/12/2025

Mono- to holocentromere transition analysed. The authors revealed a complex, stepwise interplay involving kinetochore gene mutations, alterations of mitotic histone phosphorylation patterns, and amplification of centromeric satellite DNA. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67524-8 -info

11/12/2025

This upcoming EMBO Workshop aims to highlight discoveries in the molecular biology of selfish genetic elements and foster dialogue and collaboration among the communities working on these systems.

Certain genes, chromosomes, organelles, or entire sets of chromosomes can bias their transmission to the next generation, propagating themselves at the expense of the rest of the genome. Referred to …

24/11/2025

Engineering chromosome number in plants.

Chromosome engineering produces a reduced eight-chromosome karyotype in Arabidopsis thaliana

14/11/2025

Big news in : Chromosoma & Chromosome Research will merge in January 2026! The new unified journal will be titled 'Chromosome Research: Biology of the Nucleus', honoring both legacies and advancing a shared scientific mission.

Link in the comments.

18/10/2025

The review “Plant cytogenetics in the era of genome editing” by M. Dhar and A. Koul describes recent developments from the perspective of cytogenetics and demonstrates how the new tools of genome editing have enriched the arsenal of cytogeneticists.

Plant cytogenetics has always been an exciting area of research as it deals primarily with the structure and behaviour of chromosomes. The foundation of Plant Cytogenetics was laid by Barbara McClintock almost about a century ago with her pioneering work on maize. Over the years, plant cytogenetics....