The Plant Genome Research Program What are the

The Plant Genome Research Program • 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? BIO AC Meeting November 17, 2005 Machi F. Dilworth DD/DBI

NSF Plant Genome Research Program and 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

NPGI’s Long-term Goals • 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

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

NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Budget Based on the June 1997 preliminary plan for the National Plant Genome Initiative, Congress appropriated $40 M to NSF for plant genome research in the FY 1998 budget Fiscal Year Budget FY 1998 $40 M FY 1999 $50 M FY 2000 $60 M FY 2001 $65 M FY 2002 $75 M FY 2003 $84. 45 M FY 2004 $89. 47 M FY 2005 $94. 24 M

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 Science 1997 vs. 2005 October 1997 October 2005 Genome 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 db. EST/National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) -Over 5 M ESTs in db. EST/NCBI -Detailed integrated genome map of major crops -Biological resources: full length c. DNAs, molecular markers, mutant collections, etc. -Tools: microarrays/gene chips, optical mapping, TILLING, informatics tools, etc. -Database resources – Plant. GDB, TAIR, Maize. GDB, 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 • Gramene • Functional Genomics Analysis of Fruit Flavor and Nutrition Pathways • Soybean Seed Development • Polyploidy 1 N 2 N 3 N 4 N • Chromatin Control of Gene Expression • Floral Genome Project

The National Plant Genome Initiative: Accomplishments • World leadership in fundamental research in plant genomics • 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.

NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Key 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