Location: Plant Gene Expression Center
Project Number: 2030-21210-001-003-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 2, 2022
End Date: Jun 1, 2027
Objective:
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Regents of the University of California (Cooperator) desire to collaborate in plant gene expression research. To accomplish this objective, ARS and the Cooperator have established an entity called the Plant Gene Expression Center (PGEC). The mission of the PGEC is to perform fundamental research using modern molecular and genetic strategies to understand the basic processes and mechanisms controlling plant growth, development and survival, and based on that understanding, to develop the molecular tools and materials that can be exploited by plant geneticists and breeders to generate superior crop plants and address agriculturally important problems. To accomplish this mission, PGEC scientists will interface with individuals and organizations who propose to utilize the molecular tools and materials developed at the PGEC.
Approach:
1. The PGEC conducts research in the complex biology of plant gene expression and develops the technology required by plant geneticists and breeders for the timely production of superior crop plants.
2. The PGEC comprises a Director, a University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Scientific Director, a core of Principal Investigators who are ARS employees, and support staff. The Director is an ARS employee who is responsible for the ARS program and resources and reports to the ARS Pacific West Area Director. The UCB Scientific Director is a University of California at Berkeley faculty member who is responsible for the UCB program and resources who reports to the Dean, College of Natural Resources, UCB, and who shall be appointed by the Dean for a five-year term.
3. The research program of the PGEC shall be determined by mutual consent of ARS, based on the mandate of Congress and the ARS National Programs, and the Cooperator through their respective representatives. The Principal Investigators shall select the research strategies, methodological procedures, and research organisms deemed most appropriate on scientific grounds to accomplish the mission of the PGEC.
