ARS | Publication request: THE PLANT ONTOLOGY COSORTIUM (POC) AND PLANT ONTOLOGIES

Submitted to: Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2002
Publication Date: March 14, 2002
Citation: Vincent, P.L., Coe Jr, E.H., Polacco, M.L. 2002. The plant ontology cosortium (poc) and plant ontologies. Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts. V.44:43.

Technical Abstract: Plant genomic databases need to accurately and consistently document features (e.g., gene products, functions, phenotypes, traits, developmental stages, anatomy, morphology), using a syntax that facilitates inter-database searches. This interoperability will enable comparative genomic strategies to elucidate plant functions. The Plant Ontology Consortium (POC) is applying and extending the Gene Ontology (GO) paradigm to knowledge domains pertinent to plant taxa. The GO paradigm is making it possible to annotate homologous gene and protein sequences in many databases for multiple organisms using a common vocabulary (http://www.geneontology.org). The POC aims at providing ontologies and controlled vocabularies for monocot and dicot plant taxa - initially Zea mays, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana, but extending to other important taxa in due course. The POC aims to facilitate the communications, productivity, and collaborations amongst the core participants of the POC involved in developing ontologies and controlled vocabularies for some monocot and dicot taxa. Further aims include: numerical growth of participants, extended collaboration with the research of the GO Consortium, and provision of educational opportunities in this area of bioinformatics research. It is anticipated that the POC will impact the bioinformatics research of other national and international plant-based research groups/researchers (e.g., soybean, sugarcane, cassava, potato, tomato, trees, grains, etc.) via the provision of ontology products, community resources, and educational inputs. A sample of ontology and controlled vocabulary for leaf morphology of maize will be presented. Funded by NSF Plant Genome Grant DBI 9872655.