St. Louis, Missouri
April 1, 2002
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Monsanto's data accelerating research to benefit developing
world
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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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