|
Arabidopsis
thaliana |
Arabidopsis thaliana, a
small plant in the mustard family,
has become the model for molecular
genetic research on plants because
of its small size, rapid growth cycle
(6 weeks), large production of seed,
and small genome (the smallest known
of any flowering plant). In 1990,
when Arabidopsis was being
tested as a laboratory model for plant
genetics, the DOE Plant Research Laboratory
at Michigan State University initiated
a project to analyze expressed sequence
tags (ESTs), mirror images of fragments
of genes and the proteins they make.
Because they can be used to scan for
and tag active genes, ESTs rapidly
became important tools for identifying
and isolating plant genes. Subsequently,
other federal agencies provided support,
resulting in a multinational computer
database linked to U.S. and European
stock centers, which distribute seeds
and DNA of Arabidopsis to
researchers worldwide. The research
that grew out of this work laid the
groundwork for the Arabidopsis
Genome Initiative, which began 1996
as a multinational effort to sequence
this plant's genome. The entire sequence
(130 million pairs of chemical units)
was officially completed recently
and is largely available on the World
Wide Web. As a direct model for 250,000
closely related species, Arabidopsis
will help scientists understand the
molecular basis of plant growth and
development and address fundamental
questions in plant physiology, biochemistry,
cell biology, and pathology.
Scientific Impact:
The MSU effort was instrumental in
establishing Arabidopsis
as a model organism for identifying
and studying plant genes at the molecular
level. Since the early sequencing
of ESTs, studies using Arabidopsis
have yielded many significant advances,
including the discovery of plant hormone
and signal receptor action and components
of disease resistance.
Social Impact: Concentrated
research on this single plant will
provide detailed information that
can be applied to a wide range of
plant attributes relevant to energy,
manufacturing, the environment, agriculture,
and even human health. One result
has been crops that are more resistant
to the cold; further insights will
help scientists make other plants
easier to grow under adverse conditions,
healthier to eat, and more disease
resistant.
Reference: Arabidopsis
thaliana Genome Sequencing Completed,"
Nature, December 14, 2000.
URL:
http://www.science.doe.gov/featurs_articles_2000/arabidopsis/Arabidopsisx.htm
Technical Contact:
Don Freeburn, Office of Basic Energy
Sciences, 301-903-3156
Press Contact: Jeff
Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs,
202-586-5806
SC-Funding Office:
Office of Basic Energy Sciences |