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The Plant Genome Research Program

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.

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The Plant Genome Research Program

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. NSF’s Plant Genome Research Program Budget 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

  6. 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

  7. Status of Plant Genomics Science1997 vs. 2005

  8. 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 1N 2N 3N 4N • Chromatin Control of Gene Expression • Floral Genome Project

  9. 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.

  10. 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

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