Award Abstract #0421743
The Populus Genome Portal.

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 22, 2004
Latest Amendment Date:	August 1, 2005
Award Number:	0421743
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	Diane Jofuku Okamuro DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2004
Expires:	July 31, 2007 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$1384812
Investigator(s):	Gerald Tuskan tuskanga@ornl.gov (Principal Investigator) Daniel Rokhsar (Co-Principal Investigator) Ernest Retzel (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture 2621 Morgan Circle Knoxville, TN 37996 865/974-7123
NSF Program(s):	PLANT GENOME RESEARCH PROJECT
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9150, 9109
Program Element Code(s):	1329

ABSTRACT

The Populus genome has been sequenced to a 7.5X depth, a BAC-based physical map has been created, and an initial draft assembly containing more than 90% of the euchromatic genome has been constructed. We will consolidate these resources by integrating all Populus genomic information and resources into a web-based portal that will provide direct access to the entire genomics community and promote further functional and comparative genomic research among all plant species.

Among biologically derived materials, wood-based products are second only to maize in their monetary contribution to the U.S. economy. The genus Populus, including poplars, cottonwoods and aspens, is recognized as a model for forest tree research due to its ease of propagation, relatively short reproductive cycle, small genome size, and transformability. Populus is also of major ecological importance, and the genomics tools derived from this study will provide a new platform for investigation of ecosystem processes. Populus is uniquely positioned taxonomically relative to Medicago and Arabidopsis, allowing rigorous comparison of genetic differences underlying species with similar complements of genes but contrasting life histories and growth habits. This project will thus enable the Populus, Medicago and Arabidopsis genome resources to be used synergistically to provide breakthrough insights into the molecular underpinnings of contrasting plant life histories.

The Populus Genome Portal will be accessible through

http://bahama.jgi-psf.org/prod/bin/populus/home.populus.cgi.

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