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Title: AN UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN EST-DATABASE FOR EUPHORBIACEAE.

Author
item Anderson, James

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2004
Publication Date: 3/8/2004
Citation: Anderson, J.V. An update on development of an EST-database for Euphorbiaceae. [Abstract]. 6th International Meeting of the Cassava Biotechology Network. March 8-14, 2004. CIAT, Cali, Columbia. p. 151.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: 1 USDA-ARS, Biosciences Research Laboratory, 1605 Albrect Blvd., P.O. Box 5674, Fargo, ND 58103, USA (andersjv@fargo.ars.usda.gov) Euphorbiaceae comprises a genetically diverse plant family that includes species having economic impacts on world economies. Apart from cassava, other globally important agricultural species of Euphorbiaceae include: castor bean (Ricinus communis), an important oil crop; rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), an important source of rubber; poinsettia (Poinsettia pulcherrima), an important horticultural crop; leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) an important perennial pest weed of North American plains and prairies; and annual weeds such as hophornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia), and endangered species such as Akoka and telephus spurge. Several research groups have realized the potential of using a genomics-based approach to, for example, identify markers and increase our knowledge of plant genome structure, organization and gene function within the Euphorbiaceae family. As part of a genomics-based approach, an EST- (expressed sequence tag) database for Euphorbiaceae is being developed. To date, at least 25,000 ESTs have been identified from various tissues and genotypes of Euphorbiaceae. Preliminary data indicate that 6,000-7,000 unigenes have been identified within the Euphorbiaceae-specific EST-database. Two new EST projects have recently been started for cassava genotype TME 117 (drought-tolerant) and whole plant leafy spurge and should provide an additional 5,000-8,000 unigenes. These new ESTs will be added to the developing database and, taken together, these resources will provide a valuable resource for breeding programs working on improving genetic stocks of desirable species and for scientist involved in developing methods to control the growth of undesirable species.