2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Investigate the presence and abundance of novel starch biosynthesis pathway genes in wild sorghums. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): This will be a joint effort between ARS, who has wild sorghum genetic materials in their National Collection from throughout the world, and expertise to produce, harvest, and preserve DNA samples from those materials, and the University of Queensland, who has facilities and expertise to evaluate such DNA samples for presence and abundance of unique biosynthesis pathway genes. The University of Queensland will also gather similar data on genetic materials collected in Australia. Both partners will collaborate in designing the experiments and interpreting the results. 3.Progress Report: Objectives are to investigate the presence and abundance of novel starch biosynthesis pathway genes in wild sorghums. Work exchange has occurred through email and included a shipment of fixed plant materials for the DNA extraction. DNA was extracted from 96 wild and weed sorghum subspecies from the U.S. germplasm collection. A third party will perform Next-Generation DNA sequencing on isolated DNA. The genomic analysis will focus on genes involved in starch metabolism. This research will provide critical information on how starch synthesis was altered during the domestication of sorghum.