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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262173

Title: Brachypodium and gene discovery in oat

Author
item Gutierrezgonzalez, Juan
item Garvin, David

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2010
Publication Date: 1/15/2011
Citation: Gutierrez, J.J., Garvin, D.F. 2011. Brachypodium and gene discovery in oat [abstract]. XIX Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings, January 15-19, 2011, San Diego, California. Abstract No. W385. Available: http://www.intl-pag.org/19/abstracts/W60_PAGXIX_385.html.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The hexaploid nature of the oat (Avena sativa) genome, coupled with its large genome and high repetitive element content, presents an obstacle to genome research in this crop. We assessed the potential value of the model grass Brachypodium as a surrogate genome for oat genome research, through comparative analysis of the Brachypodium whole genome sequence and oat linkage maps. An initial study identified syntenic blocks between the two species' genomes that encompass the majority of different oat linkage maps examined, suggesting a significant degree of macrosynteny between the two genomes. Next, to examine the potential for oat gene discovery based on microsynteny between oat and Brachypodium, we delineated Brachypodium regions syntenic to QTL positions for different oat traits. Evidence for co-localization of QTLs and candidate genes was found in some instances. Similarly, these comparisons reveal that large QTL intervals in oat can in some cases be resolved to small physical distances in Brachypodium. Our results reveal that the Brachypodium genome is a useful resource to assist in gene discovery efforts in oat, and we are employing information gained from these studies to isolate genes underlying important traits in oat.