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September 24, 2008
USDA's
Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) renewed a grant to
Kansas State University researcher Bikram Gill to complete the
physical map of wheat chromosome 3A by August 2010.
Wheat is a staple food for 50 percent of the world's population,
provides 30 percent of the calories for human consumption and
has a market value of more than $30 billion. The research has
big implications on global food quality by allowing growers to
meet the increasing demands for high quality food and feed
produced in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable and
profitable manner.
In 2006, CSREES' National Research Initiative Plant Genome
Program funded Gill for a $1 million pilot project to study a
novel approach using cytogenetic stocks and chromosome flow
cytometry for genome physical mapping and sequencing in wheat.
Working with researchers in the Czech Republic, Gill constructed
a partial map of the wheat chromosome 3A.
The renewal of another $1 million will allow the team to finish
the physical map, enabling access to the approximately 5,400
genes located on chromosome 3A. Scientists will be able to use
the map to isolate genes that are responsible for resistance to
preharvest sprouting; aluminium toxicity; diseases such as
Fusarium head scab and Septoria blotch; and other traits
underlying yield, quality and human health.
This project is a part of the
International Wheat Genome
Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC). The IWGSC was established by
a group of plant scientists, breeders and growers dedicated to
sequencing the wheat genome to enhance our knowledge of its
structure and function. By increasing understanding of the
biology of agronomically important traits and deploying
state-of-the-art molecular tools, plant scientists and breeders
will be able to accelerate wheat improvement to meet the
challenges of the 21 st century. The consortium is committed to
ensuring that the sequence of the wheat genome and the resulting
DNA-based tools are available for all to use without
restriction. More information about the IWGSC is available
online at www.wheatgenome.org.
Through federal funding and leadership for research,
education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in
science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily
lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit
www.csrees.usda.gov.
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