The Plant Genome Research Program
BIO AC MeetingNovember 17, 2005
Machi F. DilworthDD/DBI
• What are the research questions being supported for the activity and where did they come from?
• What makes the program transformative?
• What does the program teach us about growing a budget for a major research activity?
NSF Plant Genome Research Programand the National Plant Genome Initiative
NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program is Part of the National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI)
• NPGI is coordinated by and managed by the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Plant Genomes, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
• IWG was established at the request of Sen. Bond in May 1997 to develop a plan for a national plant genome initiative • IWG issued a preliminary plan in June 1997, the first five year plan for the NPGI in January 1998, and the second five year plan in January 2003
• To understand the structure, organization and function of plant genomes of economic importance, and plant processes of added economic value
• To accelerate knowledge transfer to agriculture, forestry, energy, environment, health, and all other
current and future plant-based industries
NPGI’s Long-term Goals
National Plant Genome Initiative Guiding Principles
A long-term project
Future planning based on scientific developments
Open and timely access to the research products
Interagency activity coordinated through NSTC
Support provided on a competitive basis with peer review
Partnership with private sector and other nations
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100
200
300
400
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1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
BIO
BIO-PGR
Plant Genome
Fiscal Year
Budget
FY 1998 $40M
FY 1999 $50M
FY 2000 $60M
FY 2001 $65M
FY 2002 $75M
FY 2003 $84.45M
FY 2004 $89.47M
FY 2005 $94.24M
Based on the June 1997 preliminary plan for the National Plant Genome Initiative, Congress appropriated $40M to NSF for plant
genome research in the FY1998 budget
NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Budget
NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program: Management Practices
BIO viewed this gift from Congress as a rare opportunity to make a major difference in the field of plant biology
• Entire budget remains in the program: Large budgets allow BIO to support large/complex projects to make scientific advances, to build infrastructure (research resources and human resources) that enables everyone to participate in plant genomics research, and to take risks
• Funds used to support activities to benefit all BIO programs (e.g., Venture Funds, IGERT, databases, stock centers)
• Sharing outcomes is a condition of every award
• Hands-on award management
• Communicating progress to the appropriators
Status of Plant Genomics Science1997 vs. 2005
October 1997 October 2005Genome sequences
-25% of Arabidopsis genome sequenced
-Rice genome just initiated
-Arabidopsis finished in Dec 2000
-Rice finished in Dec 2004
-Draft poplar genome completed
-Genome sequencing underway in Medicago, tomato, grape (international efforts)
- Maize genome sequencing commence
Genome research resources and tools
-175,000 plant ESTs in dbEST/National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
-Over 5 M ESTs in dbEST/NCBI
-Detailed integrated genome map of major crops
-Biological resources: full length cDNAs, molecular markers, mutant collections, etc.
-Tools: microarrays/gene chips, optical mapping, TILLING, informatics tools, etc.
-Database resources – PlantGDB, TAIR, MaizeGDB, Gramene, LIS, etc.
Large-scale coordinated plant genome projects
-Arabidopsis genome project -Large-scale, coordinated plant genome projects underway for rice, maize, wheat, soybean, Medicago, barley, Rosaceae, Solanacea
- Genome enabled plant biology research on major unanswered questions being tackled
Sample Plant Genome Projects
• Domestication of Corn • Sex Chromosomes in Papaya
• Functional Genomics Analysis of Fruit Flavor and Nutrition Pathways
• Floral Genome Project
• Gramene
• Soybean Seed Development
• Chromatin Control of Gene Expression
• Polyploidy
1N 2N 3N 4N1N 2N 3N 4N
The National Plant Genome Initiative: Accomplishments
• Changed plant biology forever
• Attracted students to plant biology research
• Opened up “Omics” era for plant biology
• Enabled to address long-standing, complex questions in plant biology such as epigenetics, polyploidy, environmental stress tolerance, etc.
• World leadership in fundamental research in plant genomics
NSF’s Plant Genome Research ProgramKey Factors behind Progress
• Both the community and NSF BIO were ready for a large infusion of funds for plant genome research
• Adherence to the NSF’s policies and procedures in managing the Program
• Steady increase in funding
• Active participation in the National Plant Genome Initiative in developing long-range plans and documenting progress
• Sustained broad community support
• Sustained Congressional support
• Sustained NSF support
• AD/BIO’s leadership
