ERA-PG Project:

Genomics-assisted dissection of barley morphology and development: a collaboration between Robbie Waugh (SCRI, PI), Nils Stein (IPK-Gatersleben, Co-I) and Michele Morgante (Uni. of Udine) funded through the European Reaseach Area - Plant Genomics program.  

Funding: 1.7 million Euros

Goals:
To integrate state of the art genomics technologies with advanced biological resources systematically generated over the last 30 years. This project represents a collision between historical mutation-genetics research and advanced genomics technology. Within three clearly defined objectives we aim to:

• Genetically map 480 morphological mutant loci onto the barley genome (at low to medium resolution) combining use of a high throughput gene-based SNP genotyping platform with an unique series of available nearly isogenic mutant lines (the Bowman Series).
• Develop approximately 400Mbp of barley BAC-end sequence data linked directly to a High Information Content Fingerprint (HICF) BAC contig-based physical map.
• Identify, isolate and validate at least three morphologically and / or developmentally important barley genes that are perturbed in specific mutant lines.
  

The project will build upon ongoing research programs in the partner organizations, benefiting from existing in-house and international informatics resources for storage, analysis and graphical display of genotypic and sequence data.