Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X Conference Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X ConferenceJanuary 12-16, 2002
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Workshop: Brassicas
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L) is a worldwide major important crop. It has a complex amphitetraploid genome, that is 10 times bigger than that of the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana. We have constructed an oilseed rape BAC library, using the winter reference cultivar Darmor-nain for positional cloning of important genes and QTLs as well as genome organization studies. This library is 12 X haploid genome-equivalent and average insert size ranges between 200 and 250 kb. We propose to exploit the conservation of synteny existing between A. thaliana and oilseed rape to develop a genomic method for physical and 'genetic' mapping of oilseed rape BAC clones. 'Physical functional markers' are being developed from about 5000 A. thaliana coding sequences and an equal number of oilseed rape ESTs and will be 'physically' mapped by PCR or hybridization screening of the oilseed rape BAC library. All the A. thaliana coding sequences or oilseed rape ESTs presumed to correspond to an important function in oilseed rape will be selected as entry points for this approach. Positive BAC clones are considered as physically linked based on the number and order of 'physical functional markers' they have in common. A consensus genetic linkage map will be also developed based on genetic mapping of physical functional markers that show polymorphism in reference oilseed rape populations. As a consequence of this strategy, all the 10 000 'physical functional markers', will be positioned on the integrated physical and genetic map. This will facilitate rapid genes and QTLs cloning in oilseed rape using both forward and reverse genetics approaches.