INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: NRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0200191
• Grant No.: 2004-35301-14565
• Proposal No.: 2004-01143
• Project Start Date: Jul 15, 2004
• Project End Date: Dec 31, 2008
• Grant Year: 2004
• Program Code: [52.2]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
19 WOODWARD HALL 9 EAST ALUMNI AVENUE
KINGSTON,RI 02881

Performing Department
CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Non Technical Summary
Current abilities to genetically engineer plants rely on the ability to introduce appropriate gene constructs. With methods in place to routinely introduce foreign genes into plants, transgenic technology has become a fundamental research tool for plant molecular geneticists. A requirement for this work is appropriate containment facilities for the growth and maintenance of the transgenic plant materials. This funding will allow for the purchase of a Conviron plant growth room (Model BDW80) which will be used to support research activities utilizing plant gene transfer methodologies at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
201	1510	1080	25%
201	1530	1080	25%
201	1820	1080	25%
201	2130	1080	25%

Knowledge Area
201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
2130 - Turf; 1510 - Corn; 1820 - Soybean; 1530 - Rice;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics;

Keywords

plants

biotechnology

environmental control

rice

corn

transgenic plants

plant genetics

plant growth

soybeans

turf grasses

infrastructure

universities

research facilities

molecular biology

cell biology

funding

research support

gene transfer

methodology

genetic engineering

Goals / Objectives
This funding will allow for the purchase of a Conviron plant growth room (Model BDW80) which will be used to support research activities utilizing plant gene transfer methodologies at the University of Rhode Island (URI). A Plant Biotechnology Center (PBC) has been established at URI where plant molecular genetic teaching and research activities are coordinated. Increasing faculty and student interest has created a strain on existing infrastructure for growing plant materials in a controlled environment setting at the PBC. As the level of plant transgenics research activity continues to grow at URI, there will be an increasing requirement for additional plant growth facilities. This request contributes to our long-term plan to establish a fully functional, comprehensive Plant Growth Facility to support the PBC.

Project Methods
The PBC at URI houses a small collection of lighted plant growth chambers, each having an average of 24 cu. ft. of usable space. No walk-in units are available. Instead small rooms with inadequate environmental controls (temperature, light, humidity) are being used for growing the bulk of the transgenic research materials. The existing facilities are currently being used at full capacity with researchers sometimes having to wait weeks for access to necessary space. Collectively, the current facilities cannot adequately accommodate the projected expansion of research programs utilizing plant transgenics. Acquisition of the Conviron plant growth room will expand existing facilities to support faculty research projects with Arabidopsis, rice, soybean, maize and turfgrass.

Progress 07/15/04 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Installation of a plant growth room (Conviron Model BDW80) in the URI Plant Biotechnology Center (PBC, West Kingston, RI) was completed in 12/08 after funds were secured from the University for site renovation. The unit is now being used to support a broad research range of activities in the building that require growth and maintenance of plant materials (corn, turfgrass, switchgrass, soybean, etc.) generated in projects addressing both basic and applied agricultural questions. PARTICIPANTS: Joel Chandlee, John Mottinger and Albert Kausch TARGET AUDIENCES: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (faculty and graduate students), URI undergraduate students, students of area high schools PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
With a functional unit now in place, the broad range of research activities conducted within the PBL involving faculty, graduate and undergraduate students can proceed more efficiently.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Delays in the purchase and installation of a Plant Growth Room (Conviron Model BDW80) have continued due to budgetary constraints arising from significant site preparation costs necessitated by the chosen installation site. A no cost extension has been granted until the end of this year. PARTICIPANTS: PI's: Joel Chandlee and Albert Kausch. TARGET AUDIENCES: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology; URI undergraduate students; students of area high schools.

Impacts
It is expected that, once in place, the plant growth room will serve to house transgenic plant materials (turfgrass, rice, corn, soybean, Arabidopsis) generated within the research programs of multiple faculty members at URI. In addition, it will support the efforts of undergraduate interns and graduate students participating on projects using plant transgenics for basic analysis of gene function and more practical applications of trait modification for plant improvement efforts.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Current abilities to genetically engineer plants rely on the ability to introduce appropriate gene constructs. With methods available to routinely introduce foreign genes into plants, transgenic technology has become a fundamental research tool for plant molecular geneticists. A requirement for this work is appropriate containment facilities for the growth and maintenance of the transgenic plant materials. This grant will allow for the purchase of a Conviron plant growth room (Model BDW80) which will be used to support research activities utilizing plant gene transfer methodologies at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Delays in acquisition of the unit have arisen because of difficulties in receiving architectural approvals for the chosen installation site. These obstacles have now been addressed and the unit will be purchased in the near future.

Impacts
Acquisition of the plant growth room will provide improved facilities to support faculty research projects utilizing transgenics technology with Arabidopsis, rice, soybean, maize, switchgrass and turfgrass. Several faculty research programs across campus will benefit from this equipment as well as the graduate students in these labs. Undergraduate students in relevant laboratory courses will also benefit. Finally, high school teachers and students involved through a variety of outreach educational programs in plant biotchnology will also benefit from these facilities.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
This funding will allow for the purchase of a Conviron plant growth room (Model BDW80) which will be used to support research activities utilizing plant gene transfer methodologies at the University of Rhode Island (URI). The purchase requisition has been prepared to purchase this unit, however, final university approvals of site requirements (drainage, electrical, etc) have delayed the final purchase. These issues are expected to be resolved before the end of summer, 2006.

Impacts
Acquisition of the Conviron plant growth room will expand existing facilities to support faculty research projects utilizing transgenics technology with Arabidopsis, rice, soybean, maize and turfgrass. Several faculty research programs across campus will benefit from this equipment as well as the graduate students in these labs. Undergraduate students in relevant laboratory courses will also benefit. Finally, high school teachers and students involved through a variety of outreach educational programs in plant biotchnology will also benefit from these facilities.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
This funding will lead to the purchase of a Conviron plant growth room (Model BDW80) which will be used to support research activities utilizing plant gene transfer methodologies at the University of Rhode Island (URI). A Plant Biotechnology Center (PBC) has been established at URI where plant molecular genetics teaching and research activities are coordinated. Increasing faculty and student interest has created a strain on existing infrastructure for growing plant materials in a controlled environment setting at the PBC. As the level of plant transgenics research activity continues to grow at URI, there will be an requirement for additional plant growth facilities. The University is currently evaluating renovation costs associated with installation of the growth room. A requisition has been prepared and will be submitted to the Purchasing Department soon so that it can go out to bid by April, 2005. Installation is anticipated by the end of the summer or early fall. As such, there will be the need to obtain a one year no-cost extension. This will be requested soon.

Impacts
Acquisition of the Conviron plant growth room will expand existing facilities to support faculty research projects utilizing transgenics technology with Arabidopsis, rice, soybean, maize and turfgrass. Several faculty research programs across campus will benefit from this equipment as well as the graduate students in these labs. Undergraduate students in relevant laboratory courses will also benefit. Finally, high school teachers and students involved through a variety of outreach educational programs in plant biotchnology will also benefit from these facilities.

Publications

• No publications reported this period