David Neale, Molecular Geneticist
Institute of Forest Genetics (IFG)
USDA Forest Service, Berkeley, CA
Plans are underway by USDA's Forest Service (FS) staff to develop a prototype genome mapping database for forest the loblolly pine, an important forest tree species. The database project is part of USDA's Plant Genome Research Program effort to provide users with fast, easy access to plant genome data. USDA plans are to develop a plant genome database system at NAL's Plant Genome Data and Information Center, which will contain plant genome information on the loblolly pine and three additional species--corn, soybean, and wheat.
Work on the pine database project began in late May at the Institute of Forest Genetics (IFG), Pacific Southwest Research Station, in Berkeley, California. Several goals have been identified for FY 91. First, a schema must be determined for the database. IFG plans to collaborate with the Human Genome Computer Science Group at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab (LBL). A computer scientist is being recruited by IFG to work with the LBL group. Two other database projects to be completed in conjunction with LBL also have been identified: (1) development of an electronic laboratory notebook for tree genome mapping and (2) image processing and analysis software for tree mapping data. In addition, IFG will collaborate with the University of Montana to develop statistical approaches and computational methods to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) in segregating tree pedigrees.
David Neale is the principal investigator for the loblolly pine database. A Forest Tree Genome Database Advisory Group will be established this summer. A workshop on the project is planned for late 1991.