Researchers sequence genome of corn

[BadgerKid]

Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:24pm EST

...

"Scientists now will be able to accurately and efficiently probe the corn genome to find ways to improve breeding and subsequently increase crop yields and resistance to drought and disease," Richard Wilson of Washington University in St. Louis, whose team led the effort, said in a statement.

The effort to sequence the entire gene map of corn has cost $29.5 million, funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy.

..

The sequence information is in GenBank, a freely available online public DNA database, and at maizesequence.org.

"The genome will help unravel the basic biology of corn. That information can be used to look for genes that make corn more nutritious or more efficient for ethanol production, for example," said Ralph Quatrano, chairman of Washington University's Department of Biology.

The only other crop plant to have its genome sequenced is rice.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN2632641520080226