SorghumBase blog

SorghumBase Release 10

• 13 February 2026

We are pleased to announce the 10th major release of SorghumBase. Highlights of this release include the addition of 31 new genomes from the JGI SorghumPan project

The Biology of Genomes Conference from May 5-9, 2026 at CSHL, Abstracts Due Feb 13

• 09 February 2026

The 39th annual Biology of Genomes meeting will take place at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory May 5-9, 2026. The conference will explore how DNA sequence variation shapes molecular evolution, population genetics, complex disease biology, and comparative genomics, as well as findings from large-scale gene and protein expression studies and genomic analyses of ecological systems.

CSI Global Conference Announcement and SorghumBase, Nick Gladman, Andrew Olson and Doreen Ware Feb 10 at 11 AM CT

• 06 February 2026

The Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI) will host a virtual Global Conference Announcement and SorghumBase seminar on Tuesday, February 10 at 10:45 AM CT. The meeting will begin with announcements and the seminar will start at 11:00 AM CT. Nick Gladman, Andrew Olson and Doreen Ware will speak on behalf of SorghumBase with their talk, “SorghumBase: a central KnowledgeBase for Sorghum Stakeholders.”

Linalool-Mediated Defense Mechanisms Underpin Sorghum Resistance to Anthracnose

• 20 February 2026

Linalool enhances sorghum resistance to Colletotrichum sublineola-induced anthracnose by activating salicylic acid–mediated defense signaling and directly inhibiting fungal growth through membrane disruption and oxidative stress.

Genetic Dissection of Root Architectural Traits in Ethiopian Sorghum Landraces Reveals Key Loci for Drought Resilience

• 19 February 2026

Multi-locus GWAS of Ethiopian sorghum landraces revealed extensive genetic variation and key candidate genes underlying root architectural traits, providing valuable targets for breeding drought-resilient, water-efficient sorghum cultivars.

Subfunctionalization of MBW Complex Components in Sorghum Reveals Loss of Pleiotropy in Tannin1

• 18 February 2026

Tannin1 in sorghum does not act as a pleiotropic master regulator of leaf pigmentation or chilling tolerance, supporting a model of subfunctionalization of MBW components in panicoid grasses.

High-Throughput, Nondestructive Grain Quality Analysis in Sorghum

• 09 January 2026

Understanding sorghum grain quality is essential for breeding, food innovation, and industrial applications. Traits such as protein, starch composition, oil content, tannins, and phenolic compounds directly influence nutritional value, processing behavior, and end use. However, traditional laboratory assays are slow,

Sorghum in Fermentation: New Insights into Genetics, Grain Traits, and Microbial Interactions from Baijiu to African Traditional Beers

• 05 August 2025

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has long played a central role in the production of fermented beverages across continents, from West African dolo and pito to Chinese baijiu and emerging gluten-free craft beers in the West. A wave of recent research is shedding light on how sorghum’s grain properties, microbial interactions during fermentation, and genetic diversity influence the quality and sustainability of these beverages.

Unlocking Sorghum’s Potential in Skin Care and Antioxidant Applications: A New Frontier for Kafirin Peptides

• 15 July 2025

In recent years, sorghum has gained increasing attention not just as a climate-resilient staple crop, but also as a source of high-value bioactive compounds with applications beyond the food and feed sectors. A growing body of research highlights the potential of sorghum storage proteins—particularly kafirins—as a sustainable source of antioxidant peptides and cosmeceutical ingredients.