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Unlocking the Secrets of Silk Gene Evolution

Hidden variations illuminated in the diversity of silk production for the first time

PWS Mission:


Supporting the BYU mission to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life, the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences strives to enlighten individuals regarding the natural world and to improve his/her own relationship with natural resources, genetic resources, and the environment. To succeed in this mission, the department will:

  • Provide an active learning environment where individuals develop skills and knowledge and work in interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems;
  • Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in cutting-edge research, leading to impactful publications and to graduates of character that serve others throughout their lives;
  • Provide experiences, examples, and perspectives that promote a global perspective, develop faith and character, and inspire sustainable action.

Plant & Wildlife Sciences News

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Cougar Quinoa: BYU, Washington State University release new quinoa varieties to address global food security, nutrition

June 01, 2023 06:00 AM
Scientists at Brigham Young University and Washington State University have developed a version of the protein-rich quinoa plant that can survive and thrive in the often-harsh growing conditions of Rwanda and other African countries.
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BYU Tops SRM International Meeting

May 17, 2023 01:11 PM
BYU PWS students placed among top performers at the Society for Range Management's International Annual Meeting held in early 2023. The team as a whole placed first in the URME test, competing against 22 other schools.
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Unlocking the Secrets of Silk Gene Evolution

May 16, 2023 08:51 AM
For thousands of years, the silkworm has cornered the market on silk production for textiles. However, convergent evolution may be spinning a new thread of opportunity for caddisflies and other arthropods. New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) utilizes high-quality long-read sequencing to uncover the hidden variation within silk gene evolution.
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Graduate Resources

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Resources