Breakthrough: Scientists Solve Century-Old Genetics Mystery of Mendel’s Peas

 #Mendel’s peas solved #genetics of pea traits

Mendel’s Pea Traits Finally Decoded – New Genetic Breakthrough

A new study has finally decoded the last three pea traits that Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, studied in his pioneering 19th-century experiments. Published in Nature, this research closes a long-standing gap in our understanding of classical genetics.

                           

Mendel, a friar, is recognized today as the founder of genetics and hecross-bred some 28,000 garden pea plants (Pisum sativum)(credit: Pictorial Press/Alamy; Credit: imageBROKER/Alamy)

Why This Discovery Matters

• Completes Mendel’s Legacy: Mendel’s work laid the foundation for genetics, but some traits remained genetically unexplained—until now.

• Advances Genetic Research: The findings refine our knowledge of plant heredity and trait inheritance.

• Connects Classic & Modern Science: Bridges 19th-century observations with 21st-century genomics.

Key Findings: The Three Final Traits Explained

Researchers used advanced genome sequencing to identify the genes behind:

1. Pod Color (Green vs. Yellow)........read more

How the Mystery Was Solved

• Historical Pea Samples: Scientists analyzed heirloom pea varieties from seed banks.

• CRISPR & Gene Editing: Verified candidate genes by recreating Mendel’s crosses in the lab.

• Comparative Genomics: Compared pea DNA with other legumes to pinpoint mutations.

This breakthrough honors Mendel’s legacy while showcasing the power of modern genetics. By merging historical science with cutting-edge tech, researchers have solved a puzzle 

 Where can I read the full study?

The paper is available in Nature: Read the original article here.