Plant & Animal Genomes XIII Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XIII ConferenceJanuary 15-19, 2005
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
JIZENG JIA1 , Qifa Zhang2
Crop germplasm resources are the bio-material basis of crop breeding and other related disciplines. The core of crop germplasm resources is the genes they carry, thus germplasm resources are also called “gene resources”. Discovery and utilization of favorable genes hidden in germplasm may promote and generate breakthroughs in agricultural development. China has been well-known as a “germplasm-rich country”, with plentiful germplasm resources being a powerful potential advantage for agricultural production in the future. It is crucial and therefore to exploit, utilize and protect germplasm resources.
Plant genomics is one of the fields in which new developments emerge in endlessly. Genomics-based germplasm research, known as“Genoplasmics”, is a new intersecting discipline resulting from the hybridization between plant genomics and germplasm research. Genoplasmics refers to germplasm research at the global genomic level, which include the five topics: (1) genoplasmics platform; (2) studies on genetic diversity and core collections; (3) gene discovery in germplasm resources; (4) gene cloning; (5) germplasm enhancement. The rise and development of genoplasmics will promote germplasm research to a new stage through determining structures and functions of genes carried in germplasm and making“germplasm banks” worthy of the name of “gene banks”.These endeavors will greatly accelerate the establishment of foundations for agriculture and other related industries.