Plant & Animal Genome IX Conference

Workshop: Forage & Turfgrass
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GENE DISCOVERY AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS IN FORAGE, TURF AND EXOTIC GRASSES

Plant Biotechnology Centre, Agriculture Victoria, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia

The large scale functional assignment of expressed sequences is essential for understanding cellular processes in plants. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) provide an important resource for gene discovery and expression profiling. However, robust genetic transformation systems in the target species are ultimately required for detailed in planta functional analysis of isolated genes. We have established efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation systems for the most important forage and turf grasses worldwide; ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) and fescues (Festuca spp.). Genes (cDNAs and genomic clones) encoding key enzymes involved in lignin and fructan biosynthesis have been isolated, sequenced and used for the molecular genetic dissection of these biosynthetic pathways. Analogous approaches have been followed for the manipulation of plant developmental processes, such as phase change and pollen allergen accumulation. We have generated over 60,000 ESTs from a range of cDNA libraries from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), the tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum, and from native and exotic grasses showing unique modes of adaptation to abiotic stresses, such as antarctic hair-grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and blown grass (Agrostis robusta). cDNA microarrays have been applied to cDNA library dissection and to the simultaneous, large scale monitoring of transcript abundance for specific plant organs, developmental transitions, and environmental treatments. Selected examples will be presented.