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NSF PR 96-50 - September 24, 1996
Media contact: |
Cheryl Dybas, NSF |
(703) 306-1070 |
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Jeff Sherwood, DOE |
(202) 586-4826 |
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Len Carey, USDA |
(202) 720-1358 |
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone
numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current
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contacts.
Major Plant Genome Research Project Underway
First Complete Gene Sequence of
Plants to Result
Scientists will soon have access to the first complete
genome sequence of a flowering plant. The National
Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy
(DOE), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), have
funded three groups of researchers to begin systematic
large-scale genome sequencing of a plant named Arabidopsis
thaliana. The ultimate goal is to sequence the
entire Arabidopsis genome, at a rate of about
200 genes per month, and to develop the first complete
gene sequence map of a higher plant. The three-year
awards total approximately $12 million.
Arabidopsis thaliana is a small plant in the
mustard family, and has the smallest genome and the
highest gene density so far identified in a flowering
plant. What scientists learn from the study of Arabidopsis
genes will be immediately applicable to economically
important plant species, according to Mary Clutter,
NSF assistant director for biological sciences, and
will lead to the creation of new and improved plants
and plant-based products. "Because plants are vital
to our existence, increased understanding of the biology
of plants will impact every facet of our lives, from
agriculture, to energy, to the environment, to health,"
says Clutter.
In 1990, the Multinational Coordinated Arabidopsis
thaliana Genome Research Project was launched
by an international group of scientists who recognized
the need for study of one plant with the basic properties
of all plants. "During the past several years, Arabidopsis
has become established worldwide as the species of
choice for molecular genetic studies of plant biology,"
says Clutter.
"Decoding the DNA of this model plant will provide
a complete catalog of all the genes involved in the
life cycle of the typical plant, from seed to flower
and fruit," says Martha Krebs, director of DOE's office
of energy research. Applications of the genetic information
learned could be used to meet a number of DOE needs:
improved quality and quantity of biomass products
such as alternative fuels and chemical feedstocks
(which can conserve petroleum resources) and using
plants to clean up contaminated soil (phytoremediation)
at DOE's former nuclear weapons production sites.
Catherine Woteki, USDA acting undersecretary of agriculture
for research, education, and economics adds, "Mapping
the Arabidopsis genome will enable us to use
biotechnology to develop a host of new plant varieties
for agriculture and other purposes. This research
is like exploring a continent for the first time;
each step leads on to several others, with tremendous
possibilities. We're going to see productive results
for years to come."
Although the three groups of researchers selected
for the current research grants are supported by separate
awards, each is part of a single project. "Their activities
will be coordinated to maximize efficiency and usefulness,"
says Clutter, "and information from the project will
be widely disseminated so that researchers will gain
maximum benefits." The U.S. effort is being dovetailed
with other large-scale Arabidopsis genome sequencing
projects in Europe and Japan. The goal is to complete
the sequence by the year 2004. U.S. groups will contribute
two-thirds of the sequence.
The three groups of researchers are:
- The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville,
Maryland
- Consortium of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on
Long Island, New York, Washington University in
St. Louis, Missouri, and Applied Biosystems in
Foster City, California
- Consortium of Stanford University, the University
of Pennsylvania, and the University of California
at Berkeley
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