NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget that exceeds $5 billion. Its plant genome program examines the structure and function of plant genes, particularly those important to agriculture, environmental concerns, energy and health.
Individually, the two- to five-year projects, awarded to universities across the country, will receive funding ranging from $600,000 to nearly $11 million. Some will focus on the impact of specific genes in a single species. Others will compare the complete genetic sequences of related plants. (A complete list of the awards is available at this web site: http://nsf.gov/bio/pubs/awards/genome03.htm.)
For example, researchers at Yale University will use a new, high-throughput method call laser capture microdissection (LCM) to create a "cellular atlas" that will show how individual genes are expressed in rice. A University of Georgia project will use LCM on maize plant cells to trace the gene expression that gives rise to leaves.
Meanwhile, at the University of Nevada, Reno, researchers will use a genomics approach to determine how plants produce natural rubber; and, at the University of Missouri, researchers will use a "proteomics" approach to study how caster bean, soybean and canola plants produce oil.
(Genomics is the study of an organism's entire set of genes, which include the instructions for making its complement of proteins. Proteomics focuses on an organism's inventory of proteins, and how proteins interact to build an organism and allow it to function.)
A project led by Texas A&M University will use the sorghum genome map to tease out the networks of genes that control drought tolerance. A grass that originated in Africa, sorghum is now a key food source worldwide. It has evolved thick waxy leaves and a deep root system that allow it to grow in hot dry climates. Its genome sequence is also similar to those of other important cereals, such as rice, corn and wheat.
Two other projects, led by the University of Illinois and Clemson University, will develop genomic resources for the plant family Rosaceae, which includes apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, almonds, strawberries and raspberries.
According to Mary Clutter, Assistant Director of NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences, this year's awards take advantage of the fruits of earlier genome projects to extend existing areas of research and to break entirely new ground.
"In key ways, these projects will expand what we know about the biology of the plant kingdom, including plants that have a major impact upon the lives of people around the world," Clutter said. "In a relatively short time, genomics has created massive amounts of data and innovative, adaptable tools for biological research. These now make it possible for scientists, wherever they are, to approach important, challenging questions in new ways."
Among the new projects are six new plant genome "virtual centers," flexible collaborations of investigators at various institutions and of various expertise to focus on a particular research goal. One, for example, will develop a scientific-community resource for studying genome-wide gene expression in maize.
According to Jane Silverthorne, who directs NSF's Plant Genome Research Program, "With these centers, there are no geographical or disciplinary boundaries. They foster interactions with other research efforts, and, as with all of the plant genome projects, they freely share the outcomes of their studies."
Since the Plant Genome Research Program began in 1998, NSF has committed about $375 million to the effort (including this year's new awards.) Currently the program supports 120 projects.
NSF Program Officers:
Jane Silverthorne, 703-292-8470, jsilvert@nsf.gov
Robert L. Last, 703-292-8470, rlast@nsf.gov
Related NSF web sites:
FY 2003 Awards, NSF Plant Genome Research Program:
http://nsf.gov/bio/pubs/awards/genome03.htm
A list of previous news releases from NSF on plant and other genome issues is appended below.
NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences Plant Genome Project site:
http://www.nsf.gov/bio/dbi/dbi_pgr.htm
Other pertinent background:
Five-year (2003-2008) plan for the National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI), issued by the National Science and Technology Council: http://www.ostp.gov/NSTC/html/npgi2003/index.htm
The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of nearly $5 billion. National Science Foundation funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 30,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 10,000 new funding awards. The National Science Foundation also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
Receive official National Science Foundation news electronically through the e-mail delivery system, NSFnews. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to join-nsfnews@lists.nsf.gov. In the body of the message, type "subscribe nsfnews" and then type your name. (Ex.: "subscribe nsfnews John Smith")
Useful National Science Foundation Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
News Highlights: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa
Newsroom: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/media/start.htm
Science Statistics: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/stats.htm
Awards Searches: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a6/A6Start.htm
Plant Genome Research Program and other genome-related topics
Genome Sequence for Tomato-Infecting Microbe May Show How Bacteria Adapt to Plant Defenses
Aug. 18, 2003 - NSF PR 03-86
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0386.htm
Microbes' Genomes Promise Insight Into Oceans
Aug. 13, 2003 - NSF PR 03-82
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0382.htm
Dual Discoveries in Genetic Processing Improve Accuracy of Genome Information, May Hasten Neurological Research
Aug. 7, 2003 - NSF PR 03-81
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0381.htm
New "Knockout" Map Helps Study Gene Functions in Model Plant
July 31, 2003 - NSF PR 03-79
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0379.htm
Going with the Grain: A Tale of Rice's Smallest Chromosome
June 5, 2003 - NSF PR 03-63
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0363.htm
Pattern Recognition Method Zeroes in on Genes that Regulate Cell's Genetic Machinery
May 12, 2003 - NSF PR 03-55
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0355.htm
Bread Mold Yields a Genome First for Filamentous Fungi
April 25, 2003 - NSF PR 03-44
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0344.htm
Scientists Find First Active 'Jumping Genes' in Rice
Jan. 8, 2003 - NSF PR 03-03
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0303.htm
NSF, USDA to Fund Mapping of Plant-Devouring Mold Gene
Oct. 16, 2002 - NSF PR 02-85
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0285.htm
NSF Awards $75.6M For Plant Genome Research
Sept. 26, 2002 - NSF PR 02-79
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0279.htm
NSF Funds $10.2M Maize Gene Sequencing Push
Sept. 20, 2002 - NSF PR 02-75
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0275.htm
First of Crop Killer's Genome Sequence Available
July 16, 2002 - NSF PR 02-62
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0262.htm
Researchers Compare Anthrax Genomes
May 9, 2002 - NSF PR 02-37
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0237.htm
New Post-Genomic Technique Chronicles Protein Life Cycles
April 18, 2002 - NSF PR 02-27
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/02/pr0227.htm
Researchers Find Closest Living Relative Of First Land Plant
Dec. 13, 2001 - NSF PR 01-104
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr01104.htm
Agrobacterium Genome Sequence is Complete
Dec. 13, 2001 - NSF PR 01-101
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr01101.htm
Scientists Succeed at First-Ever Attempt to Sequence DNA at Sea
Nov. 1, 2001 - NSF PR 01-90
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0190.htm
NSF Boosts for Plant Genome Research
Nov. 1, 2001 - NSF PR 01-89
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0189.htm
NSF Announces $43.8 Million in Awards for Arabidopsis Plant Genome Research
Oct. 1, 2001 - NSF PR 01-77
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0177.htm
"Silent" DNA Speaks up for the First Time
May 16, 2001 - NSF PR 01-42
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0142.htm
Plant Genome Offers Clues to Longevity
March 1, 2001 - NSF PR 01-15
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0115.htm
Scientists Shake Up "Family Tree" of Green Plants
Jan. 31, 2001 - NSF PR 01-09
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0109.htm
First-Ever Complete Plant Genome Sequence Is Announced (Arabidopsis thaliana)
Dec. 13, 2000 - NSF PR 00-94
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0094.htm
International Research Group Sequences Genome of Ubiquitous Microbe
Oct. 2, 2000 - NSF PR 00-69
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0069.htm
NSF Boosts Research for Understanding Structure and Function of Complex Plant Genomes
Sept. 21, 2000 - NSF PR 00-60
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0060.htm
Valuable Arabidopsis Data Released Through Unique Public-Private Partnership
May 31, 2000 - NSF PR 00-39
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0039.htm
Scientists Report First Complete DNA Sequence of Plant Chromosomes
Dec. 15, 1999 - NSF PR 99-73
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/99/pr9973.htm
NSF Awards Large Grant for Arabidopsis Information Resource
Sept. 29, 1999 - NSF PR 99-58
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/99/pr9958.htm
NSF Grants Provide Boost to Research on Inner Workings of Plants
Sept. 23, 1999 - NSF PR 99-56
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/99/pr9956.htm
Major Plant Genome Research Project Grants Renewed
Oct. 7, 1998 - NSF PR 98-66
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/pr9866.htm
Upcoming 'Century of Biology' Given Head Start by NSF Plant Genome Research Program Grants
Sept. 28, 1998 - NSF PR 98-57
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/pr9857.htm
Major Plan Genome Research Project Underway,
First Complete Gene Sequence of Plants to Result
Sept. 24, 1996 - NSF PR 96-50
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/pr9650.htm
Scientists Discover New Class of Genes
May 28, 1996 - NSF PR 96-28
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/pr9628.htm
"Laser Tweezer" Technique Measures DNA "Mechanics"
Feb. 8, 1996 - NSF PR 96-6
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/pr966.htm