Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference
W103
Department of Genetics, Free University of Amsterdam; IMBW, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
One of the major obstacles in present plant gene cloning is the lack of
integrated genetic/physical maps. The main objective of this project is to
achieve the molecular dissection of the tomato genome into genetically
defined sectors of which the physical size is determined. The function of
the genes present in these genetically/physically integrated sectors will
be established using saturation mutagenesis and map-based cloning
approaches.
In this EC-funded project leading European tomato groups (7) and companies
(2) have combined their expertises in complementary approaches that unite
established and novel techniques for tomato genome analysis. More rapid
methods for screening and cloning genes of economic relevance will result.
This precompetitive genome project will enable future extrapolation of
knowledge acquired from the Arabidopsis genome project to important
European crop plants.
The fundamental of this project is a unique multi-functional T-DNA
construct. After introduction into the tomato genome this will serve as
genetically identifiable landmarks (500), which we will locate on average
every 2 Megabases throughout the genome. Specific in vitro DNA cleavage on
these genetic loci enables the construction of physical maps between
landmarks, followed by the rapid isolation of molecular markers and the
preparation of YAC contigs for each section of the genome.
The resulting integrated molecular and physical map of the tomato genome
will form the basis for detailed analysis of specific sectors of the tomato
genome, which contain genetically or synteny mapped genes of agricultural
and industrial importance.
Knowledge and materials produced during this project will be of great
importance for many future projects not only in tomato, but also in other
important crop plants particularly members of the Solanaceae.
The progress made in this one year old project and the different features
of the developed technology will be presented.