International Rice Genome Project progressing ahead of schedule

St. Louis, Missouri
April 1, 2002

  • Monsanto's data accelerating research to benefit developing world
  • Monsanto, researchers celebrate two-year anniversary of scientific breakthrough in rice

In the two years since Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) made its rice genome data available to the global research community, the timetable for completing the rice genome has accelerated by six years.

On April 4, 2000, Monsanto Company announced a major breakthrough in decoding the genetic make-up of rice, and the company's commitment to sharing its data with the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP), a multi-country consortium of research institutes working to publish the complete rice genome sequence.

"The IRGSP has recently adopted a new strategy aimed at completion of the rice genome by late 2002, six years ahead of the original estimate of 2008," according to a recent progress report by the National Science and Technology Council's National Plant Genome Initiative. "The new strategy takes advantage of the availability of rough draft sequence from Monsanto." This document is available at http://www.ostp.gov/html/plantgenome/intro.html

Monsanto completed its transfer of raw draft data and research materials from its rice genome sequencing project to the IRGSP in August 2000, and Monsanto scientists continue to assist the IRGSP with physical map information. According to the IRGSP, the information shared by Monsanto currently supports approximately 30 percent of the publicly available rice genomic sequence data. This percentage continues to grow as the project nears completion.

"Since Monsanto's genome sequencing data was made available nearly two years ago, there has been an enormous increase in the amount of sequence data being deposited in public databases," said Ben Burr, co-lead of the IRGSP. "The result is an expanded knowledge base for the community of scientists working on rice and related crops."

This new body of information has provided countries and research institutions with the ability to accelerate development of improved types of rice, including rice with better nutritional value, greater yields, and rice that is more adaptable to seasons, climates and soils.

"Monsanto shared its draft rice genome data with the global scientific community because we understand the importance of rice as both a major global food source and as a model crop for agriculture and plant research," said Robb Fraley, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of Monsanto.

In addition to sharing its data with IRGSP, Monsanto established a rice genome database at
www.rice-research.org , which makes the data available at no charge to publicly funded researchers. Since the database was established, more than 760 researchers, many located in developing countries, have obtained access to Monsanto's rice genome sequence data.

Researchers at Kansas State University (KSU) are using the database in a project to study how rice and other plants resist disease. By identifying markers for disease and pest genes for resistance in rice, scientists may one day develop rice that can better resist pests and disease, thereby increasing yields and enhancing food security in developing countries.

"Access to Monsanto's rice genome database has provided our team with valuable resources that we otherwise would not be able to attain," said Frank White, Professor of Plant Pathology at KSU. "I believe our work will ultimately have the greatest impact in the developing world where rice is a staple source of nourishment."

"We are extremely pleased that, in such a short period of time, our data has helped enhance and speed scientific research on rice, and we look forward to more discoveries that improve agriculture and the environment, and particularly those that enhance food security and nutritional needs throughout the developing world," said Monsanto's Fraley.

Monsanto's sharing of the rice genome sequence data reflects the New Monsanto Pledge and its commitment to sharing of knowledge and technology with public institutions to advance science and understanding, improve agriculture and the environment, improve subsistence crops, and help smallholder farmers in developing countries.

In 2001, the company shared important genetic information with the United Soybean Board to help accelerate the board's goal of developing a soybean with improved oils and protein for U.S. producers, and to provide consumers with healthier soy products in the future.

Last year Monsanto also donated a Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) genetic marker to the Better Bean Initiative to help further the Better Bean Initiative's goal of developing soybean lower in saturated fats. Other activities to share genetic data and specific technologies to help farmers are listed in the attached Backgrounder.

Monsanto Company is a leading provider of agricultural solutions to growers worldwide. Monsanto's employees provide top-quality, cost-effective and integrated approaches to help farmers improve their productivity and produce better quality foods.

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