Overview

What is RSS? |

Microorganisms dominate the planet in terms of total biomass, species diversity, and metabolic range. They include pathogens and microbes that benefit higher organisms. They are extremely versatile in terms of the types of chemicals they consume and where they live. Many are of enormous present and future economic value. A microorganism's genome sequence identifies the order of bases in its entire genetic complement and provides a framework for understanding how the organism functions and lives. Microorganisms have significant impacts--some good and some bad--on U.S. agriculture, natural resources, and food safety. CSREES supports research on microbial genomics to better understand how microorganisms live and how they can be manipulated for our benefit.

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In Focus

• CSREES NRI-Funded researchers discover "antisense" genes in soil bacteria.
• A CSREES stakeholders' workshop on plant and pest biology elicited research, education, and extension priorities from scientific and commodity groups.
• CSREES has invested in sequencing more than 25 agriculturally important microorganisms.
• CSREES seeks input on genomics from stakeholders in a variety of ways.

Partnerships

• The CSREES/National Science Foundation Microbial Genome Sequencing Program supports high throughput sequencing of the genomes of microorganisms.

Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.
• 2nd ASM Conference on Beneficial Microbes: Beneficial Host-Microbial Interactions, San Diego, CA, October 12-16, 2008.

Selected Results and Impacts

• CSREES-funded research examines how a common algae can contribute to food production.
• CSREES is involved in many other microbial genomic projects.
• CSREES funds research on Johne's disease, a disease of cattle and small ruminants that has a major animal health impact in the United States.


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Resources

• Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine. Research tools, latest news, and other information.
• Microbe Project Report, Office of Science and Technology Policy. Report from the Interagency Working Group on Microbial Genomics.
• Microbial Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy. History of the program, funding, publications, and more.


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Contacts

Ann Lichens-Park

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