Plant & Animal Genomes XI Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XI ConferenceJanuary 11-15, 2003
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Poster: Genome Sequencing & ESTs
Plans by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science to sequence the first tree genome - Populus trichocarpa - represent an unprecedented opportunity to examine fundamental mechanisms that regulate growth and developmental processes in long-lived organisms. However, this same opportunity will also challenge the forest biologist to consider how such a genetic resource should best be developed and used. As a means to advance the capabilities of the forest science community in areas of functional and comparative genomics, an International Populus Genome Consortium (IPGC) has been formed. Multinational academic, government, and private groups, working together will help ensure that the tools, techniques, and resources required to enter a molecular era are available to the forest research community. The IPGC will seek to promote cottonwood, aspen, and hybrid poplar as model organisms and to foster the development of a collaborative worldwide network of groups interested in Populus biology. One of the benefits associated with IPGC will be the coordinated assembly of institutions and scientists working on poplar genomics. It will be the goal of this group to develop and guide post-sequence research activities in poplar, and to develop a collaboratively written science plan for the benefit of the plant science community. A Populus science plan will include a far-reaching summary of the applications and opportunities associated with the arrival of the Populus genome sequence. Scientists from all disciplines interested in participating in the consortium or in helping to develop the science plan can indicate such at the IPGC web site (http://www.ornl.gov/ipgc).