ARS | Publication request: Maize Genetics Outreach to American Indians

Submitted to: Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2006
Publication Date: February 1, 2008
Citation: Lawrence, C.J., Gardner, C.A., Widrlechner, M.P., Brendel, V. 2008. Maize Genetics Outreach to American Indians. Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter. p. 2.

Technical Abstract: Maize is an excellent vehicle for plant genomics outreach to those American Indian tribes who use and appreciate it nutritionally, culturally, and spiritually. During the summer 2006 season we mentored six Native American Indian students for eight weeks. All six worked at the USDA-ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa, learning about plant genetic resource conservation. Four also worked on developing molecular markers for Abnormal Chromosome 10 in our lab, and two worked with the MaizeGDB team to create project data storage and presentation solutions. The project website can be viewed at http://www.lawrencelab.org/Outreach/2006/home.html. Note that maize was not a central element in all tribes' cultures, so this sort of project may not be useful for outreach to tribes who do not revere maize! We encourage others to pursue plant genomics outreach to American Indians and invite inquiries on how to get started.