University
of Georgia
Dept of
Plant
Biology
Athens,
GA 30602
Phone:(706)542-1857
Fax:(706)542-1805
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University
of Georgia
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| COLLABORATORS
Dr. Susan Wessler University of Georgia Dr. Susan McCouch Cornell University Dr. Sean Eddy WashingtonUniversity RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES
PROJECT
FUND
PROJECT
LINKS
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A large fraction of the DNA sequence output from plant genome projects will be derived from transposable elements (TEs). It is estimated that 25% of the small genome of rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare, 438 Mb), is derived from TEs. What distinguishes TEs from the genic complement of an organism, among other things, is an ability to transpose and amplify. Thus, TEs shake up an otherwise conservative genome and, in this way, both threaten and enhance genomic potential.
PROJECT GOAL Here we will take a functional genomics approach to rice transposable elements (TEs) with three objectives: (1) identification
and characterization of most of the TE families in the rice genome
(2) determination
of TE activity and quantification of TE-mediated diversity in Oryza
sativa cultivars and in Oryza subspecies and related species
(3) assessment of
the contribution of TE-mediated diversity to phenotypic variation
EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES:
Transposable elements probably account for the huge difference in size among the agronomically important members of the grass clade including rice, sorghum, maize and wheat. The proposed consortium will serve as a model for how TEs should be studied in these more complex genomes. |
