Archives

Vol. 1 No. 11
June 1-15, 2000
Rice sequencing project yields breakthrough
by Karen T. Zafaralla

Monsanto has announced a major scientific breakthrough in decoding the genetic make-up of rice.

The new gene sequencing approach, conducted by Dr. Leroy Hood in the University of Washington in seattle, ed to the building of a "working draft" of all 12 chromosomes of rice.

Rice is now the first crop to be decoded or sequenced in genetic detail, providing fundamental information that will aid scientists and researchers in the development of improved types of rice. This information will also expand knowledge on crop yield, disease and pest resistance, hybrid vigor and adaotability to different environemntal situations.

Furthermore, this research is anticipated to be the key to understanding the genomic structure of other grasses. Knwing the location of a gene in rice can help find similar genes in corn and wheat.

Monsanto will provide the rice sequence files, as well as tools used in the sequencing process, to the international research consortium International Genome Sequence Project (IRGSP). IRGSP is a group of research teams from 10 countries working to complet the entire genome sequence of rice.

Established in February 1998, the IRGSP is comprised of scientists rom Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States in a collaborative, multi-year effort to sequence the rice genome.

Monsanto will transfer the data of the "working draft" to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, teh lead agency of the IRGSP. MAFF will inturn make this data available to the mebr countries for use incompleting the rice genome sequence.

Data though are jnot exclusive to IRGSP member countries. Monsanto will also rpovide access to registered researches outside the IRGSP consortium.

Monsanto Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmacia, is a leading provider of agricultural solutions to growers worlwide by introducing cost-efective and integrated approaches in aid of improving productivity and food quality.

For more information on Monsanto, visit www.monsanto.com.
(This article is based on a press release submitted by BSMG Worlwide to the BUreau of Agriucltural Research)

June 1-15 2000 Articles:

:: Million-peso project to boost corn industry
:: RP-Thailand sign agri research MOU
:: BAR named lead institution of NARS forum
:: Rice sequencing project yields breakthrough
:: Tree crop project conducts targets rural smallholders

::: More June 2000 articles :::