Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference
P17
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Crop Biotechnology Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2123, USA
The next wave in plant and animal genomics research will hinge on integrative physical mapping of genomes. Integrated physical maps will unify all genetic research results achieved over the past decade, and simplify many kinds of modern genetic and biological research. Numerous research procedures will be greatly expedited, including precise mapping of all (ca. 60,000 - 100,000) plant and animal genes and microsatellite loci, tagging of agronomic genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with PCR-based microsatellite markers, isolation of a large number of genes and QTLs, studies of gene and QTL action modes, and efficient utilization of agronomic genes and QTLs for continuously enhanced agricultural production. Large-insert BAC libraries have provided desirable genetic resources for integrative physical mapping of genomes by BAC fingerprinting and contig assembly, and library screening. To demonstrate the feasibility of BAC libraries for genome physical mapping, we have performed the following experiments: 1) Reassembling contigs from the fingerprints of BACs in the existing contigs constructed by chromosome walking, 2) BAC fingerprints and genome complexity, 3) BAC fingerprints and repeated sequences, and 4) reproductivity of BAC fingerprints. We have also developed a complete set of technologies for integrative physical mapping of genomes, by which an integrated physical map of an organism with a moderate genome size can be developed within 3-4 years at a cost for development of a moderate density RFLP map. The results of all these experiments will be reported. Some other considerations relevant to genome physical mapping with BACs, including strategies and feasibility of physically mapping the genomes of polyploid species with BACs, will be also discussed.