Cambridge, MA, and Columbia, MO. January 17, 2012 BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, announced today that it has been selected by the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology at the University of Missouri to re-sequence 1,008 soybean germplasm lines, commencing with an initial contract in 2012 to re-sequence the first 100 lines drawn from the university's ongoing soybean research. Under the agreement, BGI will provide library construction, re-sequencing analysis, 5X soybean sequence genome coverage for each soybean line, and all related bioinformatics analysis.
The purpose of the re-sequencing project, "Better Soybean, Better Life," is to assist molecular breeding in order to enhance the productivity, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and nutritional quality of U.S.-grown soybeans by identifying genetic markers and understanding genetic variances and their associations with specific phenotypes or traits. Among the key traits of interest to researchers, for example, are the content and quality of the oil derived from soybean seed, drought and flooding tolerance, and soybean nematode resistance. The initial 100 soybean lines to be re-sequenced will include both new lines as well as lines that show desirable traits for which relevant genes can be targeted.
The soybean, often called the miracle crop, is the world's foremost provider of protein and oil. In 2010, soybeans represented 58 percent of world oilseed production, with 35 percent of those soybeans produced in the United States. The total 2010 U.S. crop value exceeded $38.9 billion. For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. whole soybean exports hit record levels of $23 billion in 2010, accounting for 44 percent of the world's soybean trade. Domestically, soybeans provided 68 percent of the edible consumption of fats and oils in the United States. The soybean plant was originally introduced into the U.S. from China and other Asian countries.
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| Contact: Jia Liu liujia@genomics.cn BGI Shenzhen Source:Eurekalert |
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