Author
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Garvin, David |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2005 Publication Date: 1/1/2007 Citation: Garvin, D.F. 2007. Brachypodium distachyon - a new model system for structural and functional analysis of grass genomes. In: Varshney, R.K., Koebner, R.M.D., editors. Model Plants and Crop Improvement. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 109-124. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Model plant species are powerful tools for exploring the biological basis of important traits in crops. One new model plant species that has been proposed is Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium). This species has many attributes that make it amenable to use as a model species. These desirable attributes include a small genome, diploidy, self-compatibility, compact growth habit, and rapid generation turnover. This chapter is intended to serve as a reference for a range of information on Brachypodium including evolutionary relationships between this species and other grass crops, the genome structure, composition and content of Brachypodium, progress in transformation and mutagenesis in the species, and the development of genetic stocks and other useful resources. With its plethora of features desired in a model plant species and a close evolutionary relationship to the most important cool-season grass crops such as wheat and barley, Brachypodium is particularly attractive as a new model system that can accelerate research into the function of important genes in crop species. |
