College Station, Texas
May 13, 2005
A team of
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists will soon
begin genome sequencing a disease-fighting fungus used to
protect crops, which has implications for both agriculture and
the pharmaceutical industry.
The fungus, Trichoderma virens, is used to protect field
crops from various plant diseases. Researchers say the genome
sequencing work may uncover chemical compounds and beneficial
genes useful in producing new human and animal antibiotics.
The sequencing project is a collaborative effort with the
Department of Energy
Joint Genome Institute.
Experiment Station plant pathologists are Drs. Charles M.
Kenerley, Daniel J. Ebbole, Heather H. Wilkinson and Michael
Thon. Also working on the project is Dr. Alfredo
Herrera-Estrella, from the Center for Research and Advanced
Studies in Mexico.
"There's both pharmaceutical and agricultural implications,"
said Kenerley, who is the lead researcher on the project. "We're
going to get a view of all of the genes that might be
responsible for producing antibiotics and potentially discover
novel antibiotics used in therapy for humans or animals.
"We know some of the genes responsible for known antibiotics,
however, there are additional genes in Trichoderma responsible
for producing uncharacterized compounds that might be novel
antibiotics."
By sequencing the fungus, researchers say they will be able to
develop new versions of the fungus to protect field crops from
diseases. This would decrease the amount of pesticide and other
chemicals applied throughout a growing season.
"You also might be able to more effectively employ sustainable
practices such as low till agriculture," said Wilkinson, who is
researching the ecological aspects of the fungus. "You've got
Trichoderma present to combat the pathogens that remain in the
soil when you incorporate low till. In theory, it would be
cost-effective for many producers.
"By placing the disease-fighting fungus directly onto the seed,
it would continue to protect the plant throughout the growing
season and spread throughout the root system."
Finding unique genes involved in inducing plant resistance could
also aid the greenhouse industry that encounters problems with
seedling rot in different plant varieties.
"In the nursery industry where you transplant from smaller to
larger containers, you can incorporate the fungus as a potting
mix amendment that would protect against root-rotting fungi,"
Kenerley said.
Ebbole said their research will "provide resources for the
entire scientific community," noting all of the analysis will be
shared with other scientists to further other projects.
"Texas A&M researchers will have priority in annotating the
sequence and publishing the findings," Ebbole said.
The project is one of 40 new genome projects announced Thursday
by the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.
"Through the Community Sequencing Program, we are leveraging the
dramatic advances in genomic technology accrued since DOE
launched the Human Genome Project nearly 20 years ago," said Dr.
Raymond L. Orbach, director of the Department of Energy's Office
Of Science. "Our ability to generate DNA sequences, particularly
over the last three years, has approached Moore's Law of
proportions – in effect doubling every 18 months. These advances
have led DOE JGI to emerge as one of the preeminent contributors
to microbial and plant genomics." |