Project Number: 5325-21420-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 17, 2003
End Date: Aug 16, 2008

Objective:
Discover and develop new molecular tools (promoters, terminators, vectors) for improvement of potato and other dicotyledonous crop species. Additionally, improved methods for analysis of gene and chromosome structure will be developed to design more efficient transgenes for potato and other crops. Construct transgenic potato plants containing genes designed to decrease levels of natural glycoalkaloid toxicants and confer resistance to Potato Virus A, Potato Virus Y, Potato Leaf Roll Virus and Late Blight

Approach:
New transgene regulatory sequences, constitutive and regulated, will be isolated from sources including the potato Steroidal-alkaloid Glycosyltransfease and ubiquitin gene families and Arabidopsis thaliana. Sequences will be developed by demonstrating utility in expressing marker genes in transgenic plants. Computational methods will be applied to the database to identify common features associated with efficient transcription/translation which can then be incorporated into transgene design protocols. Sequences encoding Steroidal Glycoalkaloid biosynthetic enzymes have been identified and inactivated in potato tubers. Transgenes encoding PVY, PVA and PLRV proteins have been constructed, introduced into potato. A Late Blight-resistance gene has been isolated from a wild Solanum species and is being evaluated. New transgenes will be introduced into potato cultivars for the development of improved potatoes for the marketplace. BSL-1; IBC approved as of 01/19/2003. Field releases reviewed-Federal/State agencies. Replacing 5325-21420-002-00D (08/2003).

Project Team

Belknap, William McCue, Kent

Related National Programs

Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)   Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)