Devon Birdseye, Ph.D.
Computational Biologist
With specialization in molecular biology, genetics, and multi-omics analyses, I am passionate about empowering research through compelling visuals and bridging the gap between data and discovery.
Curriculum Vitae
Project 1: Investigation of the molecular basis of heterosis using proteomics and transcriptomics
Correlations between expression heterosis and plant height heterosis
Utilizing a panel of fifteen diverse hybrids, I calculated the Pearson correlations between expression heterosis (hybrid/mid-parent protein expression) in seedling leaves and plant height heterosis (hybrid/mid-parent plant height) in adult plants. Ribosomal proteins were the most positively correlated protein groups, while stress-response proteins were the most negatively correlated, suggesting an altered growth-defense trade-off in hybrids. These expression patterns could be used as a seedling biomarker for hybrid performance in agriculture breeding programs. mRNA levels were less correlated with plant height than protein levels, indicating a role of post-transcriptional regulation in heterosis. In the figure below, density curves represent the Pearson correlations between expression heterosis and plant height heterosis for groups of proteins that were significantly correlated.
View my publication of this work
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Statistical analysis
