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A PLANT GENOME PROJECT
NSF support, biologists today are mapping all of the genes of a model organismidentifying
the sequence and location of each gene.
Scientists have already made fundamental discoveries that may lead to
the development of improved crops and plant-based products. NSF began
working with leaders in plant biology in the 1980s to foster a spirit
of cooperation and to encourage the use of the model plant in research.
In 1990, NSF led a multi-agency, multinational project to identify all the
genes in Arabidopsis thaliana (and thus to create a genetic road
map to flowering plants) by the end of 2000.
The general belief is the Arabidopsis thaliana is so similar to most
other plants that when
properties of it are found, those properties likely exist in all other flowering
NSF researchers expect that by analyzing the structure and functions of
genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, they are laying the groundwork for
studying the biology of all other plant species.
What NSF and researchers have learned so far includes:
- Disease resistance.
Some plants are more resistant than others to viral, bacterial
or fungal diseases. Identification of specific disease-resistant genes
likely will allow for increased numbers of plants that are resistant
- Environmental response.
Changes in response to light, temperature, water availability,
salinity, air quality and other environmental factors. Genes for cold
tolerance have been identified.
- Plant hormone response.
Scientists have discovered howthe
plant hormone, ethylene, affects a wide variety of plant processes,
including the ripening of fruit, wilting of flowers and changing of
- Commercial applications.
Similarities in many plants allow manipulation of grains, fruits
and flowers to eventually create improved crops and novel, plant-based
products, including biodegradable plastics produced in crops and improved
and higher quality vegetable oil with reduced polyunsaturated fat.