Plant Genomics

Addressing agronomic and environmental challenges associated with crop production through genomics

Genomics-driven innovation for sustainable, nutritious crops

The plant genomics group at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas harnesses cutting-edge science to grow climate-smart crops—driving a more sustainable food system and a healthier planet.

We meet our goals by generating genomic breeder’s toolkits to drive the informed genetic improvement of agronomic and quality traits in turfgrasses (Zoysia, St. Augustine), grain/seed crops (cereals, legumes) and crops grown in controlled environments (tomato, lettuce, etc.,). The lab also investigates the emerging traits required for agroecological transition.

Research activities

Activities of the plant genomics lab include these main components

The comprehensive characterization and mobilization of genetic diversity in genebanks and breeder’s gene pool

The development of foundational genomics resources such as a pangenome and diversity atlas to advance fundamental research

The genetic dissection of agronomic and quality traits to advance molecular breeding

A close interaction with all stakeholders across the agricultural supply chain in the U.S.: breeders, farmers, and industries.

Program Faculty

Murukarthick Jayakodi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator

Texas A&M AgriLife Research
972.952.9235

Saehyun Lee, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife Research
972.952.9235

Publications

A full selection of Dr. Jayakodi’s publications is available at Google Scholars.

Dr. Jayakodi’s publications

Featured Publications

- - Guo W, Schreiber M, Marosi VB, …, Jayakodi M, …, Simpson C, Zhang R, Waugh R (2025). A barley pan-transcriptome reveals layers of genotype-dependent transcriptional complexity. Nature Genetics 57:441-450.
  - Jayakodi M, Shim H, Mascher M (2024). What are we learning from plant pangenomes? Annual Review of Plant Biology doi: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-090823-015358.
  - Jayakodi M, Lu Q, Pidon H, …, Dockter C, Mascher M, Stein N (2024). Structural variation in the pangenome of wild and domesticated barley. Nature 636:654-662.
  - Mascher M, Jayakodi M, Shim H, Stein N (2024). Promises and challenges of crop translational genomics. Nature 636:585–593.
  - Schreiber M, Jayakodi M, Stein N, Mascher M (2024). Plant pangenomes: current and future applications in crop improvement and evolutionary research. Nature Reviews Genetics 25:563-577.
  - Jayakodi M, Golicz AA, Kreplak J, …, O’Sullivan DMO, Schulman AH, Andersen SU (2023). The giant diploid faba genome unlocks variation in a global protein crop. Nature 615:652–659.
  - Jayakodi M, Schreiber M, Stein N, Mascher M (2021). Building pan-genome infrastructures for crop plants and their use in association genetics. DNA Research 28: dsaa030
  - Jayakodi M, Padmarasu S, Haberer G, B…, Li C, Mascher M, Stein N (2020). The barley pan-genome reveals the hidden legacy of mutation breeding. Nature 588:284–289.

Views and Perspectives

- - Thudi M, Mascher M, Jayakodi M (2025). Pangenome charts the genomic path for wheat improvement. Trends in Plant Science https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2025.03.002.
  - Mascher M, Jayakodi M, Stein N, (2021). The reinvention of potato. Cell Research 0:1-2.
  - Jayakodi M, Schreiber M, Mascher M (2019). Sweet genes in melon and watermelon. Nature Genetics 51:1572-1573.