Overview

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The genome of an organism is the hereditary molecular information that determines its form and function. The genome consists of a chemical code that is deciphered by a laboratory technique called sequencing. The genomes of many agriculturally important organisms either have been or are being sequenced. The relatively new discipline of bioinformatics combines computer science, biology, and information technology all of which scientists use to manage and analyze the massive amounts of sequence data. CSREES provides leadership and funding in this important emerging field so that genomic studies can provide insights into how animals, plants, and microbes live and grow. These insights can lead to improvements in agriculture, development of new agricultural products, and protection of the environment.

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In Focus

• The National Research Council recommends continuation of National Plant Genome Initiative research activities.
• A CSREES stakeholders' workshop on plant and pest biology elicited research, education, and extension priorities from scientific and commodity groups.
• USDA-CSREES supports development of biotechnology tools for rice through the RiceCAP multi-state, multi-institutional project.
• National Plant Genome Initiative Progress Report describes progress and needs for sequencing and bioinformatics of agriculturally important plant genomes.
• USDA Stakeholder Workshop on Animal Bioinformatics Report describes current issues and needs in animal bioinformatics.
• USDA-CSREES Stakeholders' Workshop on Research Priorities set goals for CSREES priorities in plant and pest biology.

Partnerships

• CSREES participates in the project Genetic and Functional Genomic Approaches to Improve Production and Quality of Pork (NC 1004) using bioinformatics.
• CSREES partners with other institutions on Development of Genetic Resources for Cotton (S-304) to create bioinformatics tools for improved cotton production.
• National Animal Genome Research Program (NRSP008), a multistate project involving CSREES, uses bioinformatics to improve animal breeding.


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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.

Selected Results and Impacts

• Cornell University researchers used CSREES funds to seek improved honey bee management and pollination.
• A costly cereal crop disease is the target of CSREES-funded research.
• CSREES-funded research examines how common algae can contribute to food production.


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Resources

• BarleyBase, Iowa State University. A public database and resource for studying cereal genomics, containing barley and Arabidopsis expression data.
• Gramene: A Resource for Comparative Grass Genomics. Enables use of the sequenced rice genome as a tool to identify and characterize genes in other crops.
• Primer on Molecular Genetics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Energy. Provides basic information about genetics and genomics.


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Contacts

Gail McLean

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