National Plant Genome
Initiative (NPGI)
The National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI)
Progress Report and Objectives for 2003-2008
resulted from input solicited by the Interagency
Working Group on Plant Genomes (IWG), which
consists of representatives from USDA, Department
of Energy, National Institutes of Health,
National Science Foundation, Office of Science
and Technology Policy, and Office of Management
and Budget.
The IWG collected input from many workshops
and reports to develop the NPGI plan for
2003-2008. The NPGI was started in 1998 to
further national objectives in plant biology,
including agricultural and energy research.
It was a driving factor in the completion
of the first plant genome sequence and the
development of genomic resources and tools
for plant science.
The mission of the USDA is to sustain and
improve agricultural crop plant productivity,
and the NPGI has played a vital role in bringing
genomics approaches and tools to crop plant
research. The genomics approaches and tools
allow rapid identification of the genes responsible
for agriculturally important traits such
as disease resistance, stress tolerance,
growth, and crop productivity.
For 2003-2008, the NPGI recommended five
goals for plant genomics, one of which is
the need for more investment in bioinformatics
to manage and analyze the explosion of plant
genomic sequence information. This goal includes
development of a national strategy for training
in bioinformatics, collaboration with large
data centers, and more bioinformatics-oriented
research, such as generation of specialized
databases. It can lead to faster and more
accurate identification of genes responsible
for important traits in plants.
The NPGI Web
site contains additional information.
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