Project Number: 5325-21420-004-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2009
End Date: Jun 30, 2012

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to develop methodologies to explore large and repetitive plant genomes. The initial focus will be on comparisons of the diploid wild potato (Solanum bulbocastanum) with the tetraploid cultivated potato (S. tuberosum). The haploid genomes of each are estimated to be ~900 Mbp.

Approach:
Genomic sequence information will be generated with Ilumina’s next generation sequencing technologies and analyzed in silico to identify potential subsequences to use as molecular markers and identify genes and sequences of interest for applied agronomic improvement. Assembled contigs will also be used to compare wild and domestic potato. This comparison may result in the development of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can be used as molecular markers by breeders. Identification of selected subsequences and novel genes will enable their isolation. Wet lab testing will be used to validate the utility of these subsequences and should enable the development of sequences that can be applied to the molecular genetic improvement of potato. Using standard Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, appropriate transgenes vectors will be constructed and the sequences mobilized into potatoes. Resulting transgenic lines will be examined for function, efficacy and to demonstrate proof of principle. We anticipate that this novel approach, if successful, will be applicable to the improvement of other plant species. Documents Non Funded Cooperative Agreement with University of Houston.