Using the iPlant Cyberinfrastructure to Explore the Connections Between Cellular Respiration, Heterosis and the Molecular Biology of Aging.

Gene expression profiling and biochemical analysis suggests that hybrids have more efficient protein quality control mechanisms than their inbred parental lines. Hybrid plants and animals appear to use energy more efficiently than inbreds and this enhanced energy use efficiency results in more rapid growth and development. Studies on the molecular mechanisms of aging suggest that inbreeding and aging share a common loss of protein quality control.  To test possible connections, RNA-Seq analysis of various tissues of young inbred mice, young hybrids, and older hybrids was used to demonstrate that cellular aging and inbreeding show common molecular signatures.  The iPlant Collaborative cyberinfrastructure is being used to create proof-of-concept for a protein quality control mechanism underlying heterosis that is lost with advancing age. A molecular analysis computational pipeline is being constructed to facilitate molecular breeding of crops and livestock as well as help identify rare alleles that could lead to disease or lowered vigor.