The Origin of Critical Maize Traits - Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra

This episode of the Talking Biotech podcast delves into the evolutionary significance and domestication history of corn (maize). Dr. Kevin Folta hosts a discussion with Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra from UC Davis, exploring the traits that enabled maize's domestication, the role of the TGA gene, and the implications for modern breeding. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding maize's genetic diversity and how modern tools may be used to unravel long standing questions about maize domestication.