Progress 07/15/03 to 07/14/06
Outputs
For wide hybridization research between soybean and its wild relative Glycine tomentella with resistance to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, bean pod mottle virus, and soybean aphid to soybean, six hybrids have been produced, and three successful crosses have produced seeds. Crosses have been identified based on morphological traits, chromosome count and SSR markers. All F1 plants were perennial and intermediate for other morphological features. All plants contained 59 chromosomes. Seedlings from one cross are in a new rooting medium developed to help shoots to produce healthy roots directly from the stem within a week. More than 20 shoots are in culture and 10 shoots were transferred to rooting medium. BC1 F1 plants have been transferred to the greenhouse. For facilitating nanotechnology-based innovations for soybean disease problems, seminars and workshops resulted in initiation of four pilot ag-nanotech projects: Development of Nanoelectromechanical System
(NEMS) for the Study of Gaeumannomyces graminis Infection and Pathogenesis; Grain Traceability Using Nanoimprinting; Single Molecule Detection of Soybean Cyst Nematode DNA using Nanoparticles and Microfluidics; Pioneering Nanoscale Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetic Analysis: Nanoliter scale extraction and analysis of DNA and RNA from one or a few cells; and Sequencing the Soybean Cyst Nematode Genome Using a Novel Nanotech Approach. A white paper has been drafted that focuses on the potential of nanotechnology applications in food and agriculture research. For investigation of policy and managerial implications of biotech development and adoption, an innovative approach has been identified and tailored to meet the needs of this research area. Data on actual collaborations between academic researchers and the private sector have been obtained from a number of major research universities. That data are being analyzed and will provide essential input into further analysis of
the driving forces and impediments to effective university / private sector collaboration relating to agricultural biotechnology. The NSRL uses the Internet (www.vipsoybeans.org; www.stratsoy.uiuc.edu; www.nsrl.uiuc.edu) to effectively and rapidly disseminate research findings to the soybean industry, especially soybean growers. The VIPS and StratSoy sites are comprehensive tools including information spanning the soybean market channel, and the NSRL site includes presentations, publications, and news about research generated by the Center and other research programs.
Impacts
Identifying soybean genes responding to pathogens provides information for developing disease response models and provides resistance markers for plant breeders. Hybrids between soybean and G. tomentella have high potential for resistance to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, bean pod mottle virus, and soybean aphid. Nanoscale technology is the next frontier in the quest for soybean disease solutions and allows scientists to address research questions at the infection interface, sample DNA from several cells, or detect pathogens at a single cell scale. The SDBC has facilitated research collaborations among nanotech and soybean biotech scientists, and the resulting research will allow leverage of additional ag-nanotech research. Academic research has a vital role to play in the future evolution of agricultural biotechnology independently or in conjunction with nano and information technology. This research will provide an enhanced understanding of the impediments and
advantages associated with collaboration between academic researchers and the private sector.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
For microarray research: Two arrays for a total of 36,000 soybean cDNAs can be analyzed. We identified nearly 4,000 soybean genes whose expression pattern was altered during hypersensitive resistance reaction and 100 genes whose expression pattern was altered during aphid insect feeding. Completed a comparative analysis of expression of soybean defense responsive genes that will provide a defense-specific promoter for high-throughput disease screens. We examined many flavonoid pathway genes involved in defense response. Chalcone and isoflavone synthases are turned on during pathogen attack and important for glyceollin synthesis. For marker development for resistance-breaking populations of soybean cyst nematode (SCN), we cloned, sequenced and preformed Southern blot analysis on three classes of putative SCN virulence genes. A rapid DNA-based assay for tracking one marker in SCN populations was developed and confirmed preferentially present in SCN growing on the most
common source of SCN resistance. We are phenotyping SCN segregating for virulence on SCN resistant soybean PI437654; if new markers correlate with SCN virulence, we will have the ability to predict virulence on PI437654. For wide hybridization between soybean and wild relative Glycine tomentella with resistance to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, bean pod mottle virus, and soybean aphid, six hybrids were produced, and three successful crosses produced seeds. Crosses were identified based on morphological traits, chromosome count, SSR markers. All F1 plants were perennial and intermediate for other morphological features. All plants contained 59 chromosomes. Seedlings from one cross are in a new rooting medium developed to help shoots produce healthy roots directly from the stem in a week. For gene therapy, the goal is to take advantage of natural abilities of soybean-infecting viruses to facilitate movement of nucleic acids into embryonic tissues of intact plants for enhancement
of soybean transformation. Full-length cDNAs were synthesized and cloned from two isolates of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) that invade embryonic meristems without causing abortion. Soybean plants infected with SMV isolates produce large numbers of virus-infected seed, making them suitable for gene delivery vectors. For the dynamic pricing mechanism for seed production contracts as alternative to price premiums to discourage the farmer-saved-seed, enforcement of IP protection for innovations through production contracts was examined with focus on theoretical discussion of price premiums based on economic theory. Seed companies main challenge in designing seed production contracts is to enforce property rights for seed and plant inventions with patent law while discouraging farmer-saved-seed. Economics of contracts suggests examining the farmer-saved-seed as moral hazards in a contract. A theoretic model was constructed to treat farmer-saved-seed as moral hazards problem between company
and farmer. Outreach and Industry Communications: NSRL uses the Internet (www.vipsoybeans.org; www.stratsoy.uiuc.edu; www.nsrl.uiuc.edu) to effectively and rapidly disseminate research findings to the soybean industry.
Impacts
Identifying soybean genes responding to pathogens provides information for developing disease response models and provides resistance markers for plant breeders. Hybrids between soybean and G. tomentella have high potential for resistance to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, bean pod mottle virus, and soybean aphid. In SCN resistant soybean cultivars, resistance is not complete and some populations of SCN can adapt to resistant cultivars, rendering the resistance ineffective. The development of a rapid, reliable test to assess virulence profile of SCN populations would allow growers to plant the most effective SCN resistant soybeans and preserve valuable SCN resistant germplasm. Viruses can enhance soybean transformation for research and agronomic improvement. Analysis of patent data suggests that companies holding seed patents may be struggling with whether to maintain patents and striving to improve efficiency of patent enforcement. This encourages seed companies
to reassess contractual schemes to induce farmers to deter saving seed.
Publications
- Li, Y., Zou, J., Li, M., Vodkin, L.O., Hartman, G.L. and Clough, S.J. 2005. Identification of resistance related defense responses in soybean against Aphis glycines. Mol Plant Microbe Interact. (Submitted).
- Zou, J. and Clough, S.J. 2005. Molecular and expression analyses of soybean dirigent-like protein genes. (In Preparation).
- Zou, J., Rodriguez-Zas, S., Aldea, M., Li, M., Zhu, J., Gonzales, D.O., Vodkin, L.O., DeLucia, E. and Clough, S.J. 2005. Expression profiling soybean response to Pseudomonas syringae reveals new defense-related genes and rapid HR-specific down regulation of photosynthesis. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 18:1161-1174.
- Lambert, K.N., Bekal, S., Domier, L.L., Niblack, T.L., Noel, G.R. and Smyth, C.A. 2005. Selection of Heterodera glycines chorismate mutase-1 alleles on nematode resistant soybean. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 18: 593-601.
- Lim, H.S., Ko, T.S., Lambert, K.N., Kim, H.G., Korban, S.S., Hartman, G.L. and Domier, L.L. 2005. Soybean mosaic virus helper component-protease enhances somatic embryo production and stabilizes transgene expression in soybean. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 43: 1014-1021.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
For soybean cyst nematode (SCN) research, new DNA-based markers were developed to predict how well SCN will grow on resistant varieties. A comparative genetic map is being developed to confirm these markers are linked to SCN virulence. One new marker was converted to a real-time PCR assay used to quantify frequency of virulent SCN growing on SCN resistant soybean. For gene therapy research, the abilities of three soybean-infecting viruses to invade embryonic tissues were tested as vectors for a viral-based gene delivery system. Tobacco ringspot virus invaded soybean embryos most efficiently and viable seed was produced. For wide hybridization research, Glycine tomentella, a wild perennial soybean relative, has notable resistance levels to soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, soybean aphid, and bean pod mottle virus. Wide hybridization produced viable progenies from crosses between soybean and G. tomentella. Progeny are being screened for resistance to yield-reducing
diseases. A G. tomentella linkage map using SSR markers is being developed, and soybean SSR primers are being successfully used for G. tomentella. For microarray technology research, microarrays were was used to examine the genetic differences between susceptible and resistant responses to sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) and sudden death syndrome (SDS), and genetic differences are currently being characterized. For soybean transformation research, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation experiments showed that multiple genes can be inserted into soybean which will allow manipulation of several enzymes in critical resistance pathways. A possible root-specific promoter (rolD) is being tested for tissue specific expression of transgenes. Research and Development (R&D) risk and obsolescence of technologies influence how much R&D incentives are created, how fast technological advancements will be achieved, and how soon those technologies will be made available to consumers. A model was
constructed with which to quantitatively argue economic risk of R&D and compare obsolescence rates of patented technologies. Risk associated with R&D in seed industries does not decrease with diversification of R&D. This suggests that selection and elimination processes for R&D projects might have played a role in reducing economic risk and promoting private investments in agricultural industries. The NSRL uses the Internet (www.vipsoybeans.org; www.stratsoy.uiuc.edu; www.nsrl.uiuc.edu) to effectively and rapidly disseminate research findings to the soybean industry, especially soybean growers.
Impacts
One important limitation to the use of SCN resistant soybean cultivars is that resistance is not complete and some populations of SCN can adapt to resistant cultivars, rendering the resistance ineffective. The development of a rapid, reliable test that can be used to assess the virulence profile of a SCN population would allow growers to plant the most effective SCN resistant soybeans for their field populations of nematodes. Effective SCN virulence management will help preserve valuable SCN resistant soybean germplasm. For virus-based transformation strategies, tobacco ringspot virus is the best candidate of the three viruses for the development of virus-based transformation strategies for soybean. Microarray technology will enable the development of new defense-related markers to rapidly identify soybean varieties with resistance to specific pathogens. For intellectual property protection of soybean innovations, differences in obsolescence rates imply that increased
stringency in the enforcement of utility patents can either increase or decrease economic efficiency in the R&D activities depending on types of technologies. This in turn proposes a technology-specific approach to enforcement of intellectual property protection in order to facilitate economically efficient R&D activities in different industries. Research presentations, program overviews, and news events that emphasize the Centers advancements in soybean biotechnology research are available online for rapid dissemination.
Publications
- Umeno, S. and Kesan, P. 2004. Obsolescence of utility patents and R&D risk in the consolidated U.S. seed market. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (In Press).
- Atibalentja, N., Bekal, S., Domier, L.L., Niblack, T.L., Noel, G.R. and Lambert, K.N. 2004. A genetic linkage map of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines. Molecular General Genetics (In Press).
- Haudenshield, J.S. and Domier, L.L. 2004. Cellular distribution of RNA of seed-transmitted viruses in soybean embryos. Phytopathology 94:S40.
- Lim, H.S., Ko, T.S., Domier, L.L., Kim, H.G. and Hartman, G.L. 2004. Expression of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) HC-Pro in transgenic soybean plants enhances SMV symptoms. Phytopathology 94:S61.
- Lozovaya, V.V., Lygin, A.V., Li, S., Hartman, G.L. and Widholm, J.M. 2004. Biochemical response of soybean roots to Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines infection. Crop Sci. 44:819-826.
- Lozovaya, V.V. Lygin, A.V., Zernova, O.V., Li, S., Hartman, G.L. and Widholm, J.M. 2004. Isoflavonoid accumulation in soybean hairy roots upon treatment with Fusarium solani. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 42:671-679.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Microarray has been employed to examine the genetic response of soybean plants to specific pathogens. We are currently analyzing soybean response to virus-transmitting aphids by comparing resistant to susceptible plants. RNAs from the infected plant material have been collected and hybridized to the arrays. The SCN resistance-breaking research resulted in the initial development of a rapid DNA-based marker system for tracking SCN populations virulent on PI437654. The Wide Hybridization research to cross soybean with perennial ancestors (G. tomentella and G. argyrea) that are resistant to soybean rust, bean pod mottle virus, and SCN has resulted in production of in vitro plantlets. Over 100 different perennial Glycine accessions have been planted for additional resistance screening. Copies of virus genomes that will be used to produce virus-based vectors for soybean transformation have been synthesized, and have modified a cloned copy of one of the virus genomes has
been modified to allow it to accept foreign gene sequences. We also have shown that at least one of the viruses under investigation infects germline cells, which adds support to the concept of using modified seed-borne viruses as gene-delivery systems. Expansion of utility patents has offered the potential for increases in marketability and profitability of agricultural research. If the risk of research and development is reduced and if returns are increased by diversification of research projects, then diversification may drive the research approach in agriculture if inventions are not subject to obsolescence. Technologies embedded in seed and plant varieties are more susceptible to obsolescence than other technologies, and returns for technologies are highly correlated with their economic life in the market. Patented inventions appear to have an ability to counteract obsolescence in the market, thus, promotion of the utility patent and improvements in prosecution for utility patents
tend to help appropriate true values of seed and plant utility patents. The NSRL uses the Internet (www.vipsoybeans.org; www.stratsoy.uiuc.edu; www.nsrl.uiuc.edu) to effectively and rapidly disseminate research findings to the soybean industry, especially soybean growers. The VIPS and StratSoy sites are comprehensive tools including information spanning the soybean market channel, and the NSRL site includes presentations, publications, and news about research generated by the Center and other research programs.
Impacts
Microarray technology will enable the development of new defense-related markers to rapidly identify soybean varieties with resistance to specific pathogens. The development of a rapid, reliable test to assess the virulence profile of an SCN population would allow rotation of resistant soybeans in such a way that virulent SCN populations would not accumulate, and valuable SCN resistant soybean germplasm would be preserved. Using wide hybridization technology, the influx of G. argyrea genes into U.S. soybeans will significantly expand the range of genetic diversity available to soybean breeders including superior resistance alleles for SCN, rust and BPMV. The gene therapy system has the potential to streamline introduction of genes into soybean lines without the constraints of currently employed transformation procedures. Studies on intellectual property protection suggest that policy makers must invest more time and effort to improving the system granting and
implementing intellectual property protection for soybean-related inventions in the market. Further, these results encourage seed companies to reassess their contractual schemes so that terms and conditions in their contract would induce their contracted farmers to voluntarily deter from saving seed. Lastly, it is expected that we might see more efforts by seed companies to improve the efficiency of patent enforcement mechanisms in the United States. Research presentations, program overviews, and news events that emphasize the Centers advancements are available online for rapid dissemination.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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