Recipient Organization
YALE UNIVERSITY
105 WALL ST
NEW HAVEN,CT 06511-6614
Performing Department
MOLECULAR, CELLULAR AND DEVEL BIOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
The complete sequence of the rice genome is scheduled for completion in three to four years. Genomic sequence will, to the extent that gene function can be identified by sequence homology, be useful in itself in understanding the genes that have been identified by annotation. If the ultimate rice genome database also relates sequence to mutant phenotype, the biological function of many more of the genes will be better understood. To achieve this functional definition, an international consortium of geneticists, molecular biologists and information scientists has been assembled. The overall objectives of the Rice Functional Genomics Consortium (RFGC) are to develop the genetic, molecular and bioinformatics infrastructure that will be necessary to eventually complete an extensive public collection of rice lines, each containing an independent, dispersed insertion of a genetically engineered Ds transposon at a defined chromosomal site. These efforts will be coordinated
with related international projects to provide a standard public interface for rice functional genomics information worldwide. Armed with this public information, research scientist can rapidly identify mutant alleles in genes of agronomic importance for functional genomic studies and crop improvement. A formal training program will be established between the RFGC and the California State University at Fresno, a Minority Serving Institution, to provide plant genomics training opportunities to undergraduate students.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The overall objectives of the Rice Funtional Genomics Consortium (RFGC) are to develop the genetic, molecular and bioinformatics infrastructure that will be necessary to eventually complete an extensive public collection of rice lines, each containing an independent, dispersed insertion of a genetically engineered Ds transposon at a defined chromosomal site. Technology development objectives include testing genetic selection strategies for the recovery of independent,dispersed transpositions of genetically engineered Ds elements with both enhancer and gene trap capabilities. Related molecular protocols will be tested to determine the chromosomal position of each insertion by TAIL-PCR amplification and sequence of its flanking genomic DNA. These efforts will be coordinated with related international projects to provide a standard public interface for rice functional genomics information worldwide. A formal training program will be established between RFGC and the
California State University at Fresno, a Minority Serving Institution, to provide plant genomics training opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.
Project Methods
The experimental approaches will include the development and testing of transgenes in rice that direct microspore-specific cell death, and transposable element systems that confer herbicide selection in transgenic rice plants. These two systems will be combined to develop a genetic selection protocol to select for dispersed transpositions in rice based on the ability to eliminate microspores carrying the donor transposable element, thereby selecting for transposed elements that have recombined with the donor locus. A second experimental approach will be to develop methods to amplify and sequence transposon-flanking sequences using one-sided PCR methods such as TAIL-PCR. Finally, a database structure will be implemented that will eventually allow public access to information on transposon lines in rice generated by the RFGC.